Do you ever find yourself putting off an assignment that’s due at midnight? Or prioritizing five other tasks over the one you know is due soon? Before you know it, you’re frantically submitting a file just as the clock strikes 11:59 PM. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Studies suggest that between 80% and 95% of college students procrastinate, especially when it comes to coursework, according to the American Psychological Association. The good news is, procrastination is a widely common challenge among students, and there are practical and effective ways to overcome it!
Why do you struggle with procrastination?
While many seem to chalk up procrastination to sheer laziness, the reasons are usually much deeper. Some common reasons for procrastination are perfectionism, instant gratification, and feeling overwhelmed. Understanding what drives procrastination within oneself is the first step to combating it and finding breathing room between your life and your academics.
The Perfectionist Mindset:
I remember sitting in my spotless dorm room as a freshman, laundry done, floor swept, and almost everything neatly put away. All except the looming pile of syllabi and assignments on my desk. I told myself I just needed a plan, the right way to go about it. But all I could think about when finally sitting down was what if I do it wrong? Perfectionism is a surprising but real way students can struggle with procrastination. Wanting something to be perfect can create a fear of failure and ultimately delay starting. Modern Psych sums it up perfectly in their article about the ties between perfectionism and procrastination, “These thoughts create pressure and overwhelm…. Not because you don’t care, but because you care deeply.”
Instant Gratification:
Another reason students may struggle is the accessibility of instant gratification that surrounds us. Being on campus, there are a myriad of things that can distract us, from the millions of clubs at our fingertips to try out, a pick-up game of basketball on a warm day, to a group of friends going on a Sykes run it is so easy to say you will get something done later. Particularly in college, balancing classes, coursework, jobs, and social lives can create a perfect recipe for burnout. Ultimately leading to scrolling for ‘just 5 more minutes’ or watching one episode after a long day at work, classes, or study groups to decompress.
Feeling Overwhelmed:
From balancing all the pressures of being a student, sometimes it’s easier to put things off until the last minute. Especially when you’re battling 5 classes, a job or internship, and the regular hiccups that life comes with. It can feel like there are too many things competing for your attention. This makes it feel easier to avoid work because it feels like everything needs to be done at once.
There are so many more reasons why students struggle with procrastination. Reflecting and learning more about your own habits while being kind and gentle with yourself is the first step to understanding how you can overcome procrastination. Secondly, carrying out tips and tricks over time can build confidence and comfort in starting assignments in a way you may not thought was possible.
Tips and Tricks to Combat Procrastination
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to combat procrastination. Reflection and understanding how one may struggle with it can give a lot of insight into how to proactively combat it. Then, implementing some tips and tricks to overcome procrastination and help you slowly eliminate it all together.
Marking up your Calendar to start Conquering your Semester
We are all familiar with ‘sylli’ week. That first week of class, when every professor is going through their syllabus, goals, and group projects for the semester! It’s easy to overlook and miss the list of assignments at the end that outlines all assignments, tests, and due dates. No matter where you are in the semester, marking up your calendar is a great way to start anticipating coursework and make it feel a little lighter.
The 3-item to-do list to Stop Delaying your Priorities
Ever get that overwhelming feeling from having too much to do? Creating your days to prioritize your top three tasks for the dayu is a proven way to get more done by doing less work. David Rock, a neuroscientist and CEO of Neuroleadership Institute, shares in an article with NBC, “The brain can hold and process three items much more fluently than four or more”. His rule of three method encourages writing your top three goals for the day by asking yourself, ‘what is it that’s going to make me feel accomplished at the end of the day’. This can help you to sharpen your priorities and overcome procrastination one day at a time.
The 5 Minute Rule to Master Starting Assignments
I think we can all admit that sometimes the hardest part of doing anything is starting, whether it is a task we have never done before, know like the back of our hand or dread. Starting can be a lot easier than we make it out to be even if it is just reading instructions and can effectively take the pressure off. Setting a timer for 5 minutes and working with free distraction can help you to get over the hardest part. After that timer goes off, you can decide if you want to continue, and it is usually easier to continue once started (Spiralist Team).
‘Sitting’ yourself up for success
Scrambling to get a project done in the wrong environment can offset productivity in ways you never imagined. Whether it’s in the campus Starbucks during rush hour or a bustling quad, the setting you’re in can make or break productivity. Finding the right environment and people to work with can help you immensely. According to Kellogg Insight, working near a high performer can increase your productivity by 15%. This can make the library a great choice for studying while leaving your apartment, dorm, or home for more relaxing activities.
Getting Comfortable with ‘Good Enough’
Do you find yourself cleaning your room, doing all your laundry, and planning the next day with perfect detail to get your assignment started on the right foot? Me too. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be perfect! According to Modern Psych, getting comfortable with execution in a good enough state -even if your room is a mess- can kick-start confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Book a meeting with a Success Coach
Early in my college career, my daily to-do lists looked more like a list of goals that were attainable in 2 weeks. Learning about success coaching was one of the biggest game changers for my academic career. The Success Coaching Program helps students achieve personalized goals in and outside of school through Zoom or in-person meetings. They can help with a myriad of subjects, from scheduling and time management to effective studying to active reading. The best part is you can book them at your own pace. After attending my first meeting, I realized I wasn’t scheduling my assignments in a realistic timeline and learned how to anticipate the semester’s workload in a manageable way that actually started to keep me on track. You can book your first appointment here.
Defeating Procrastination and Reclaiming Your Time
Procrastination is common among students, but it does not have to dictate the end of your week, day, or month. Understanding your habits more deeply and implementing systems designed get over the hump of starting. You can effectively build steady progress rather than deal with that last-minute stress we are all familiar with.
Try the 5-minute rule tonight! Or share this with a friend who tends to use that 11:59 pm due date quite literally. If you are still finding your footing, looking for ways to improve your scheduling and overall college experience, check out these articles! 5 Tips for Balancing Academics and Social Life for College Students or 6 Best Places to Study in West Chester.
