Many students are familiar with the phenomenon of procrastination and its negative consequences. They delay tasks even though they know that doing so might result in bad grades and low GPA scores. Some students blame themselves for not being able to organize the learning process properly, which leads to even more disappointing outcomes.
The situation might seem desperate when there are only several hours left till an assignment’s deadline, and you are still staring at a blank page. Even though students can always use a research paper writing service to hire an experienced writer and get the necessary assistance, it does not mean that the situation will never repeat itself.
The key point about procrastination that everyone should understand is that it’s not about laziness or poor time management. Such a reaction stems from deeper psychological factors you need to understand if you want to overcome procrastination. We will focus on the most important ones in this article and suggest practical tips students can use.
Why do we procrastinate?
Some of the key psychological factors that can keep you away from managing your academic assignments include:
- Fear of failure: You avoid working on an assignment because you are afraid to score low on it and get negative feedback from your instructor.
- Perfectionism: Perfectionism is a trap you can get into when you want to do everything right but don’t accept your own flaws and those of the world around you.
- Lack of motivation: If you don’t find a task interesting or meaningful, you might struggle to find the motivation to do it.
- Difficulty focusing: The constant distractions and lack of concentration can become a legitimate reason why you can’t do the things on your to-do list.
- Overwhelm: When you need to manage massive assignments, it might seem improbable that you can reach the desired goal.
Tips on Overcoming Procrastination
Now that you have a general idea of procrastination and its roots let’s consider some practical steps to overcome it.
1. Admit You’re Procrastinating
Self-awareness is a powerful tool you can use to understand what is going on and how you want to react. As soon as you acknowledge the issue of procrastination, it becomes possible to do something about it.
2. Identify the Cause
It is like diagnosing an illness before treating it – you don’t know which pill to take if you don’t understand what you are suffering from. For instance, if you experience the fear of failure, the “pills” that might help you are self-compassion and reframing negative thoughts. If there is a lack of concentration, you need to get rid of distractions and use tools that help you focus on the assignment you want to manage.
3. Set Realistic Goals
Unrealistic expectations of how fast you can manage an assignment can lead to feelings of disappointment and sadness. Try not to compare your pace with other students. Find the speed that suits you and take breaks whenever needed.
4. Find Your Peak Productivity Time
Doing so will help you schedule the most challenging tasks depending on your biological rhythms. If you are a night owl, do not try to start writing a creative essay at 8 o’clock in the morning.
5. Find an Accountability Partner
Sharing your goals with someone you trust is helpful because you get an amplified sense of responsibility. Ask your friend or classmate to check in on your progress. Even though it might irritate you at first, you will see the powerful impact of this approach on your performance with time.
6. Practice Self-Compassion
Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up; be kind to yourself. The chances are you are not used to praising yourself if you practice negative self-talk from time to time. Think about the effectiveness of beating yourself up. Does it help you to bounce back? Probably not. So why not try something different?
7. Use Procrastination As A Cue
When you feel the urge to procrastinate, take it as a sign to reassess your approach or take a short break. Remember that your mind and body are trying to tell you something important via this message. A short break can help you generate the energy you need.
8. Remember Your “Why”
It might be challenging to do something you need when you don’t understand why you should do it. Connect your tasks to your long-term goals and aspirations. This can help you find the motivation to push through procrastination. For instance, you can think about your desire to graduate and receive your dream diploma and what it means to you.
Summing Up
Hopefully, you can see now that procrastination is not something you just need to get rid of to continue doing what is required. It is a way your body attracts your attention to something that needs to be fixed. Take enough time to discover the reasons behind your procrastination and use the above-mentioned tips to overcome it.
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