Procrastination is putting off or avoiding doing something that must be done. It is natural to procrastinate occasionally. However, excessive procrastination can result in guilt feelings about not doing a task when it should be done. It can also cause anxiety since the task still needs to be done. Further, excessive procrastination can cause poor performance if the task is completed without sufficient time to do it well. In short, excessive procrastination can interfere with personal success.Why Do Students Procrastinate?
There are many reasons why students procrastinate. Here are the most common reasons:
Perfectionism. A student's standard of performance may be so high for a task that it does not seem possible to meet that standard.
Fear of Failure. A student may lack confidence and fear that he/she will be unable to accomplish a task successfully.
Confusion. A student may be unsure about how to start a task or how it should be completed.
Task Difficulty. A student may lack the skills and abilities needed to accomplish a task.
Poor Motivation. A student may have little or no interest in completing a task because he/she finds the task boring or lacking in relevance.
Difficulty Concentrating. A student may have too many things around that distract him/her from doing a task.
Task Unpleasantness. A student may dislike doing what a task requires.
Lack of Priorities. A student may have little or no sense about which tasks are most important to do.
How to Overcome Procrastination?
- Recognize self-defeating problems such as; fear and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor time management, indecisiveness and perfectionism.
- Identify your own goals, strengths and weaknesses, values and priorities.
- Compare your actions with the values you feel you have. Are your values consistent with your actions?
- Discipline yourself to use time wisely: Set priorities.
- Study in small blocks instead of long time periods. For example, you will accomplish more if you study/work in 60 minute blocks and take frequent 10 minute breaks in between, than if you study/work for 2-3 hours straight, with no breaks. Reward yourself after you complete a task.
- Motivate yourself to study: Dwell on success, not on failure. Try to study in small groups. Break large assignments into small tasks. Keep a reminder schedule and checklist.
- Set realistic goals.
- Modify your environment: Eliminate or minimize noise/ distraction. Ensure adequate lighting. Have necessary equipment at hand. Don't waste time going back and forth to get things. Don't get too comfortable when studying. A desk and straight-backed chair is usually best (a bed is no place to study). Be neat! Take a few minutes to straighten your desk. This can help to reduce day-dreaming.
But of course everything has its pluses and minuses, so just one piece of advice: whatever you do (or do not do) you must enjoy it!
