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Overcoming Procrastination

Many of the traits most associated with people who chronically procrastinate can make change more difficult. Fortunately, though, there is hope. With certain changes in behaviors and mind-set, you can reduce procrastination and become more effective at managing your time. In college, changing how you think about and approach less enjoyable assignments is key to decreasing procrastination and increasing your success.

For instance, simply disliking an assignment is not a good reason to put it off; it’s an excuse, not a valid reason. Throughout life you’ll be faced with tasks you don’t find interesting, and in many cases you won’t have the option not to do them. Whether it is cleaning your house, filing your taxes, completing paperwork, or responding to hundreds of e-mails, tedious tasks will find you, and you will have to figure out strategies to complete them. College is a good time to practice and hone your skills at finishing uninteresting tasks in a timely manner. Perhaps counterintuitively, research indicates that making easier or less-interesting tasks more challenging can decrease boredom and increase your likelihood of completing the tasks on time.⁶

high-impact practice 3

Work Together

Staying on Task and on Time

With two or three other students, discuss ways to avoid procrastination. What works for you? Share examples from your experiences.

When you’re in college, procrastinating can signal that it’s time to reassess your goals and objectives; maybe you’re not ready to make a commitment to academic priorities at this point in your life. Only you can decide, but an academic adviser can help you sort it out. If you cannot get procrastination under control, it is in your best interest to seek help at your campus counseling service before you begin to feel as though you are also losing control of other aspects of your life. Taking the Procrastination Self-Assessment in this chapter will help give you a sense of whether or not procrastination is a problem for you.

Procrastination Self-Assessment

Place a number from 1 to 5 before each statement. (For example, if you “agree” with a statement, place a 4 before the statement.)

1 = Strongly Disagree

2 = Disagree

3 = Mildly Disagree

4 = Agree

5 = Strongly Agree

____ I have a habit of putting off important tasks that I don’t enjoy doing.
____ My standards are so high that I’m not usually satisfied enough with my work to turn it in on time.
____ I spend more time planning what I’m going to do than actually doing it.
____ The chaos in my study space makes it hard for me to get started.
____ The people I live with distract me from doing my class work.
____ I have more energy for a task if I wait until the last minute to do it.
____ I enjoy the excitement of living on the edge.
____ I have trouble prioritizing all my responsibilities.
____ Having to meet a deadline makes me really nervous.
____ My biggest problem is that I just don’t know how to get started.

If you responded that you “agree” or “strongly agree” with two questions or fewer, then you may procrastinate from time to time, but it may not be a major problem for you. Reading this chapter will help you continue to stay focused and avoid procrastination in the future.

If you responded that you “agree” or “strongly agree” with three to five questions, then you may be having difficulties with procrastination. Revisit the questions to which you answered “agree” or “strongly agree” and look in the chapter for strategies that specifically address these issues to help you overcome obstacles. You can get a handle on your procrastination!

If you responded that you “agree” or “strongly agree” with six or more questions, then you may be having a significant problem with procrastination, and it could interfere with your success in college if you do not make a change. Revisit the questions to which you answered “agree” or “strongly agree” and look in the chapter for strategies that specifically address these issues. Also, if you are concerned about your pattern of procrastination and you aren’t having success in dealing with it yourself, consider talking to a professional counselor in your campus counseling center. It’s free and confidential, and counselors have extensive experience working with students who have problems with procrastination.

Here are some strategies for beating procrastination and staying motivated:

Remind yourself of the possible consequences if you do not get down to work, and then get started. Also, remind yourself that simply not enjoying an assignment is not a good reason to put it off; it’s an excuse, not a valid reason.
Create a to-do list. Check off items as you get them done. Use the list to focus on the things that aren’t getting done. Move them to the top of the next day’s list, and make up your mind to do them. Working from a list will give you a feeling of accomplishment.
Break big jobs into smaller steps. Tackle short, easy-to-accomplish tasks first.
Avoid doing other things that might seem more fun, and promise yourself a reward for finishing the task, such as watching your favorite TV show or going out with friends. For completing larger tasks and assignments, give yourself bigger and better rewards.
Find a place to study that’s comfortable and doesn’t allow for distractions and interruptions.
Say no to friends and family members who want your attention; agree to spend time with them later, and schedule that time.
Shut off and put away all electronic devices during planned study sessions. If you need to use an electronic device for studying, turn off all social media and any other applications that are not part of your studying—and keep them off.
Consider asking those living with you to help keep you on track. If they see that you are not studying when you should be, ask them to remind you to get back to the books. If you study in your room, close your door.