Procrastination Aggravation
“You’re going do it anyway, so why not just get it done?” Easy for parents to say, but over 60%* of students struggle with procrastination.
The “Why do today what you can put off for tomorrow?” approach leaves many kids feeling guilty, anxious, rushed or overwhelmed. Fortunately, by practicing some basic life skills, just about anyone can learn to replace procrastination with productivity.
Top Reasons Students Put Off Their Work.
- Self-imposed standards cannot be met; reasonable attempts interpreted as failure.
- Uncertain about how to approach assignment; lacks confidence in ability.
- Easily distracted or low concentration due to boredom, confusion, or other interests.
- Unsure how to prioritize or manage workload; fears their approach will fail.
How To Overcome Procrastination.
Take Ten. Give yourself 10 minutes to get a drink, go to the bathroom, set-up your books, sharpen pencils, make a plan, and turn off electronic temptations. In other words, anticipate all possible distractions and interruptions.
Write it Down. Always put the day’s homework, long-term assignments, and upcoming tests into your planner. Not due tomorrow? Separate tasks to make the work more manageable (Tues: thesis & outline, Wed: rough draft, Thurs: final edits, Fri:due) or to reduce study stress (Mon: study #1-10, Tues: study #11-20, Wed: review #1-20, Thurs: quiz).
Estimate. Calculate how long you will need for the day’s tasks and jot down a schedule: 3:20-3:30 snack, 3:30-3:50 math, 4:00-4:45 essay first draft, 5:00-6:30 soccer practice, 7:00-7:45 shower & dinner, 7:45-8:30 history outline.
Ask Around. Not sure where to start? Ask a friend, teacher, or relative for ideas. Suggestions such as, “I would begin with the simple problems” or “Let’s identify some milestones” will likely jump-start your work.
Give Yourself a Break. Set aside a block of time to accomplish a task. Then give yourself a 10-minute break to get re-energized. Some students find it helpful to set a timer (for breaks too!) while others prefer to work until a task is complete. By scheduling work and earning free time, you can motivate yourself and stay focused.
Suspend Judgment. Give yourself permission to be imperfect and work without putdowns. When you make your study environment a safe place, it’s easier to accept doing the best you can. Also, remind yourself that learning, like all of life, is a process that involves making and fixing mistakes to better prepare for whatever comes next.
Establishing priorities, estimating time, and trusting your abilities are all part of the learning process. The good news is, with some direction, most students find the work easier and far more interesting than anticipated.
[*] Solomon, L. & Rothblum E. (1984), Academic Procrastination: Frequency and cognitive-behavioral correlates.
Journal of Counseling Psychology, 31, 503-509.
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