Procrastination No More

According to Rozental et al. (2022), procrastination is when you willingly put off doing something you planned to do, even though you know it’ll probably make things harder for you later on. And let’s be real, students are no strangers to this. It’s practically a rite of passage!

Research tells us that there are a bunch of reasons why students procrastinate, and we’re going to dig into those in this blog. Plus, we’ll talk about how procrastination can mess with students’ grades and academic performance.

Distraction = Procrastination

You know what’s behind a lot of student procrastination? Distractions. It’s like, with all these gadgets and tech stuff everywhere, it’s hard to stay focused. I mean, sure, these things have their upsides, but they can also totally mess with our concentration. Instead of hitting the books, we’re swiping through our phones and getting sucked into all kinds of stuff. We’re all guilty of saying, “Just a quick break” or “I’ll study later,” but before you know it, you’re knee-deep in videos and chats, and the studying? Well, it’s pretty much out the window.

Demotivation leads to procrastination

Another reason students put things off is because they lose motivation. It’s understandable—who wants to do something they’re not passionate about? That’s why it’s crucial for students to reconnect with their “whys.”

Ask yourself, what’s driving you to succeed? Is it to impress your parents and family with high grades? Or maybe it’s to secure admission to your dream school? Whatever your motivation is, always remind yourself of it when you’re feeling demotivated.

It’s normal to lose interest from time to time; after all, we’re only humans. But that’s no excuse to give in to demotivation. Instead, refocus on your goals and keep pushing forward.

One helpful tip is to keep your “whys” front and center. Whether it’s setting them as your phone wallpaper or posting them in your room, surround yourself with reminders of what you’re working towards.

And don’t forget to take breaks when needed. Step outside, connect with nature, take a deep breath, and then get back to it, refreshed and ready to tackle the task at hand.

Parents and family members also play a crucial role in their child’s academic journey. Their support, love, understanding, and encouragement can work wonders. A simple “you can do it” can make all the difference.

Build Habits, not Procrastinate

Lastly, students tend to procrastinate due to poor study habits. Learning is a journey, and it’s not always easy, but habits can build that stamina so that whatever you may be going through in your academic journey, habits will keep you moving. Sometimes, we don’t feel like studying, hence, we want to procrastinate, and we get it. But habits will keep you on track and will be your driver whenever you don’t feel like moving. May it be an hour of study time after school, committing to go to learning centers for additional and supportive knowledge, or learning or reviewing one topic per day.

While there are other reasons why students procrastinate, these three are among the most common and often overlooked. Procrastination is like a siren tempting you away from your studies, but staying focused and remembering your reasons for learning can help you resist its allure. So, recenter yourself on your goals and work on building those study habits.