Procrastination
"The word “procrastination” was derived from Latin's "procrastinare", that translates into: the prefix pro-, 'forward', and the suffix -crastinus, meaning 'till next day'. [...] Procrastination etymologically means putting off something until tomorrow, a tomorrow that is usually less defined." (Agboga, n.d.)
Research associated procrastination with lower grades and higher levels of mental health problems like stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue and other illnesses. (Terada, 2020 & Beutel et al. 2016)
Major Reasons for Procrastinating
Fatigue or overwork, distractions, perfectionism, fear of failure, lack of motivation, low self confidence, disengagement from course or assignment, inadequate/insufficient tools and resources, poor mental health or untreated mood disorders, underdeveloped time management or organizational skills, etc.
How can university students manage and overcome Procrastination?
Awareness
The First Step. Knowing the true reasons for procrastinating makes it easier to manage and overcome it. What feelings lead to procrastinating, and how does it make you feel? Are these positive, productive feelings: do you want to change them?
Time Management Techniques
Not all methods of managing time are equally helpful in dealing with procrastination. Those that reduce anxiety and fear and emphasize the satisfaction and rewards of completing tasks work best. If making a huge list of "things to do" or scheduling every minute of your day INCREASE your stress and thus procrastination, then instead:
- set reasonable goals (e.g. a realistic and manageable list of things to do).
- break big tasks down into small steps, it will be easier to accomplish your tasks on time.
- Do your difficult task in the early morning. Mornings are the most alert and energized times.
- give yourself flexibility, achieving goals and changing habits takes time and effort.
- Avoid distraction using your will power.
- allot time to things you enjoy as rewards for work completed.
New Perspective
- Look at a big task in terms of smaller pieces, it makes it less intimidating.
- Look for what's appealing about the assignment, or what you want to get out of it beyond just the grade.
- Value your tasks, it can fuel your motivation and make you finish your tasks on time.
- Self-talk. Talk to yourself in ways that remind you of your goals and replace old, counter-productive habits of self-talk. Instead of saying, "I wish I hadn't... " say, "I will ..."
References
Agboga, V. (n.d.). Student struggles: Battling with procrastination. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from https://info.lse.ac.uk/current-students/Assets/Articles/procrastination
Beutel, M. E., Klein, E. M., Aufenanger, S., Brähler, E., Dreier, M., Müller, K. W., Quiring, O., Reinecke, L., Schmutzer, G., Stark, B., & Wölfling, K. (2016). Procrastination, distress and life satisfaction across the age range: A German representative community study. PLOS ONE, 11(2), e0148054. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0148054
Helping students overcome procrastination. (n.d.). National University. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from https://www.nu.edu/blog/helping-students-overcome-procrastination/
Terada, V. (2020, February 11). 3 reasons students procrastinate and how to help them stop. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/3-reasons-students-procrastinate-and-how-help-them-stop/
Voge, D. J. (n.d.). Understanding and overcoming procrastination. Retrieved June 14, 2023, from https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/undergraduates/resources/resource-library/understanding-and-overcoming-procrastination
Photo Source: Noah Merriby
