What is Procrastination?
Procrastination is the tendency to delay an intended action or
decision. It is defined as the act of needlessly delaying tasks to the
point of experiencing subjective discomfort. The illusory idea
underlying procrastination is a feeling that ‘later is better. This is
also the common reason behind the ‘tomorrow’ outlook on life,
which forces people to postpone everything for a ‘tomorrow’ that
never comes. When the next day dawns, the pattern resurfaces, and
procrastinators excuse themselves by promising again that ‘I will do
it tomorrow. Hence, procrastination is seen as a ‘tomorrow
syndrome’.
Effect of Procrastination on Students’ Life
Since the dawn of time, people have suffered from procrastination.
It is a serious problem, especially among students. Most of the
students put off their homework and studies for later, thinking that
they have plenty of time to get it done. However, the work gets
delayed and results in compromising the quality of education.
Research has shown that it takes more time to complete a task
when a student allows his focus to drift and the task becomes more
difficult for him.
Some students waste up to one-third of their time procrastinating.
Procrastination can take many forms. For example, a student has a
paper due on Monday morning, but he went skiing with friends all
weekend instead of studying. When students procrastinate, then
they always have the excuse of “not having enough” time. The
reasons for delaying and avoiding tasks for students are rooted in
fear and anxiety. This fear is about doing poor, losing control,
looking stupid, and having one’s sense of self or self-concept
challenged. They avoid doing work to avoid their abilities being
judged. So, what can students do to overcome their tendencies to
procrastinate? Below are a few tips and methods that can help
them.
Tips and Methods to Overcome Procrastination
There are many ways to break the vicious circle of procrastination. A
good first step to overcoming procrastination is to identify
distractions and their possible solutions. Another is to finish the
work in the allocated time. If a task seems too big or overwhelming,
break it down into a series of smaller, more achievable tasks or
steps that will add up to completing the job. Concentrate on taking
the first step, then the next, until you complete the full journey.
Whenever students find themselves procrastinating, they should
think about the good things that will happen when they stop
procrastinating. Set specific dates and times to begin or continue
the work. Put up notes or reminders in prominent places like the
fridge or a mirror, to remind them that work needs to be done.
Conclusion
It is difficult to leave a bad habit. It also takes time and can’t be
done overnight. So, don’t expect from yourself that you will
suddenly break up with your procrastinating behaviour. Be realistic
and figure out the strategies that work best for you. Practise them,
notice small improvements in procrastinating behaviour and reward
yourself. There is no quick fix for procrastination – it takes time and
effort, and surely, no one else can fix it for you.
Students must have found “Procrastination Essay” useful for
improving their essay writing skills. Visit BYJU’S website to get the
latest updates and study material on CBSE/ICSE/State
Board/Competitive Exams, at BYJU’S.