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The College Student’s Handbook for Understanding and Managing Procrastination
By Tyler Hakes
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Procrastination can be an ugly thing. Especially if you’re a college student.
Assignments, tests, and social activities tend to pile up for many students and they have a hard time juggling all of the upcoming deadlines and responsibilities. Unfortunately, this can also mean that the problem compounds–as more things add up, students become more anxious and can quickly fall behind. This is a common occurrence and it can become a cycle, hurting students’ ability to stay on top of their assignments and leading to poor academic performance. One recent study found that students who turn in assignments at the last minute earn, on average, a 5% lower grade than those who turn it in at least a day before the due date.
But if you’re often putting things off or waiting until the last second, you’re definitely not alone. Research estimates that something like 87% of all students consider themselves to be procrastinators.
One thing that’s important to know is that procrastination is not generally the same thing as laziness. Telling yourself to “just do it” often will not help you overcome procrastination if there are other issues that are holding you back from completing your tasks or assignments. Instead, you have to understand those underlying reasons why you are choosing to procrastinate and then face them–head on.
This guide provides a number of hugely useful resources, tips, and information about procrastination to help students understand why they procrastinate and perhaps stop themselves from doing so–or at least manage it in a way that doesn’t become destructive.
CHAPTER 1
Understanding Procrastination
The first step to managing procrastination is to understand how procrastination works and why it can be such a powerful force. These resources here will explain some of the psychology and research into procrastination so you can better understand how it works and then move toward a plan of actions for managing your own habits.
Why Procrastinators Procrastinate
This is a fascinating look at what causes procrastination (complete with illustrations!) In a nutshell, procrastination arises as a result of short-term thinking and the allure instant gratification. It’s easier to do something now, in which you will see the results immediately, than to do something that will take a longer effort or will have a longer time to pay off.
To Stop Procrastinating, Start by Understand the Emotions Involved
Procrastination isn’t just a thing that happens. Research suggests that it’s an emotional response triggered by certain circumstances which cause us to want to put off doing what we, logically, know we should be doing. One big trigger? Stress. Having anxiety about a task or assignment can cause one to feign a need for perfection, which causes them to procrastinate as they figure out how to do the thing before them in “just the right way”.
The Akrasia Effect: Why We Don’t Follow Through on Things
This article explains the phenomenon known as akrasia–when we act against our better judgment. More often than not, this plays a big part in procrastination. Generally, procrastinators logically and consciously know that they should not be putting off work until the last second–but they do it anyway!
Time Inconsistency and Procrastination
How does procrastination take hold from an economic perspective? This article breaks down our decisions and actions based on their relative value at each point in our lives, looking for answers as an economic study. This may be a big technical for some, but those who need a really cold, logical, and academic perspective might find it useful to understand it from this perspective.
CHAPTER 2
Diagnosing Your Procrastination Habits
There are several different types and reasons for procrastination. Some students find that their procrastination is triggered by specific activities or subjects. Other people find specific strategies or exercised to be most effective at dealing with procrastination. But there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
Step one in taking control of procrastination is to do an honest assessment of your own habits and learn how your procrastination is triggered and its effects on your life and your productivity. Here are some resources that will help you diagnose your own procrastination to determine how you can manage it effectively.
Procrastination Test – Psychology Today
Take this 5-minute quiz to diagnose your procrastination habits. You’ll get a personalized assessment of your procrastination habits and some information on the harm your habits could cause.
This short survey will help you determine if–and how severely–you procrastinate. If you know that your procrastination habits are low or mild, then you may not need to take any additional steps. (After all, we all procrastinate sometimes.) But if you find your habits landing you near the top of the scale–as someone who suffers from strong or severe procrastination–then you’ll likely want to find ways to avoid or manage the problem.
3 Types of Procrastinators and What Motivates Them (Infographic)
This flowchart, created by Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at De Paul University in Chicago, outlines the three types of procrastinators and lets you identify your type by answering a few simple questions.
Which of These Five Types of Procrastinator Are You?
Instead of three types, this article breaks down procrastination into five main categories. This might help you further pinpoint the cause of your procrastination and identify how to best manage it.
CHAPTER 3
Strategies for Managing Procrastination
There are many ways for individuals to address their procrastination habits. Sometimes, people are simply able to understand their circumstances and end negative actions by sheer power of will. But many others rely on small tricks and strategies that help them stop procrastinating over time–to retrain themselves to overcome the problem.
In this section, you’ll find a number of
In the second part of this series on procrastination, you’ll find a very thorough walkthrough of the thought processes behind procrastination and an animated step-by-step guide of what needs to happen in order to overcome them. There are also some tips on how to mentally break through procrastination by reframing different scenarios and focusing on the control that you have to choose whether or not you procrastinate.
Overcoming Procrastination is Habit Forming
Habits–learned behaviors that we do over and over–are the basis for much of our lives. And procrastination is no different. Luckily, habits are also useful for many people in overcoming that same procrastination. This article outlines how using habit-forming strategies can help you to overcome procrastination. This is especially useful for people who find that having structure and schedule helps them to be more productive.
How to Stop Procrastinating on Your Goals by Using the “Seinfeld Strategy”
Jerry Seinfeld is one of the most prolific actors, comedians, and entertainers of our generation. For years he has consistently put out new material, gone on tours, and taken his career from one phase to the next. This article explains how his simple method of consistency can help overcome procrastination.
Stop Procrastinating by Planning “Procrastination Activities”
One of the great myths of procrastination and productivity is that it’s natural and normal for people to work consistently and diligently for hours on end to accomplish their tasks. This is rarely the case. In fact, most people rely on consistent, small, mental breaks throughout the day to keep them focused when they are working. This article explains how you can plan these breaks into your day to give your mind a break and allow you to scratch your itch to procrastinate–so you can spend more time not procrastinating.
Breaking the Perfectionism-Procrastination Infinite Loop
For those who struggle with perfectionism, this article explains how to break the mindset by breaking the task down–at least mentally. This is a powerful exercise to use if you often feel paralyzed and unable to take the first step–especially if your procrastination is induced by fear or anxiety.
How to Stick to Good Habits Every Day by Using the “Paper Clip Strategy”
Another highly useful, anecdotal strategy for forming and sticking with habits involves creating a visual cue and using that to motivate you each day to perform the tasks that lie ahead. In this case, paperclips are moved from one jar to another as the individual makes progress on their goal.
Productivity 101: A Primer to the Pomodoro Technique
This widely-used productivity technique is rather simple–but effective. Rather than trying to sit down and work for a long period of time, you can instead break your time into smaller chunks. Generally, this technique is built on a rule of 25/5, that is, 25 minutes spent working, followed by 5 minutes of rest, relaxation, or, yes, procrastination. Throughout the day, you also allow yourself a longer, 15-30 minute break to give yourself some extra rest.
CHAPTER 4
Additional Resources for Help with Procrastination
In addition to trying specific strategies and methods for managing procrastination, there are also other resources that students can seek to get help with their procrastination habits. Some of these take the form of technology–apps, tools, and other programs that are designed to help students remain focused–and others take the form of interpersonal coaching or even one-on-one counseling.
Here you’ll find a list of additional resources that you may find useful in ending your procrastination habits.
10 Distraction-Killing Tools for Better Concentration
These technology tools are designed to keep you focused and built positive work habits, eliminating distractions and providing motivation for you to accomplish the tasks that you set out to do.
7 Clever Mobile Apps to Beat Procrastination
This list comprises entirely of mobile apps for phone or tablet, which can also be used to help you beat your procrastination. There’s an added bonus with using mobile apps as a procrastination buster, which is that you’re less likely to then be using your phone as a distraction.
If you feel like your procrastination habits are not under your control, you’re having trouble dealing with them alone, or you feel they may be having a large negative impact on your life, then you may want to seek the help of a mental health professional. In some cases, procrastination can be a symptom of a mental health disorder such as ADD or ADHD and only a trained professional will be able to properly diagnose such a condition.
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