Procrastination: What's Really Going On
Do you put the “pro” in procrastination?
Have you lined up lots of excuses about how things will get done in the magical land of Later? Do these 5 W’s sound familiar?
Who procrastinates?
Everyone at some point.
What are you procrastinating?
Problem sets, laundry, reading, writing, tedium, applications, scary stuff.
Where do you go to procrastinate?
Your room, social media, Wikipedia, YouTube, news sites, text messages, repeatedly checking and answering emails...
When do you procrastinate?
Starting, continuing, finishing, getting stuck, feeling imperfect, just about any time something is in some way aversive.
Why do you procrastinate?
Lack of interest, lack of connection to what matters, lack of a clear endpoint, perfectionism, because you feel “stuck” and don’t know an answer, you’re trying to multitask, and/or you think things will get done when you feel “more capable.”
So how do you combat it?
Good Location: Where do you focus best? While some people can study in their rooms or dorms, most admit it isn’t the best place to concentrate. Be honest about which environment is conducive to your best learning. Is it the 24/7 quiet study room in Lathrop? The Bender Room in Green? The CoHo? A grassy spot on the Oval? If leaving your room or your home isn’t an option, you can still carve out a dedicated space where you only go to study.
Limit Distraction: Eliminate virtual distractions. Put your phone out of sight; even seeing it in your workspace will take up valuable brain space. Turn off notifications on your computer so messages aren’t constantly interrupting your flow. Close windows to any website that would pull you away, or use an app to block distracting websites for a certain amount of time. For more ideas, visit our page on improving focus.
Timing: Plan out when you’re going to do classwork, and put it on your calendar. Be realistic about how long tasks will take instead of how long you think they should take. Plan breaks that bring rewards during your study sessions.
Motivation: A lot of people say, “I’ll do that task when I feel ready.” The truth is, you need to start before you feel ready or it won’t get done. Many times, motivation stems from action—not the other way around.
Mindset: Voltaire said it first: best is the enemy of good. Instead of worrying about whether something will be the best, do your best. Learning is iterative and layered. You can’t improve without starting the process.
Divide and Conquer: If the work feels overwhelming, break it up into tiny, manageable steps and set deadlines for yourself. Remember to reward yourself when you achieve them.
Breaking Down Tasks: Climbing Mt. Pset
Breaking Down Tasks: Climbing Mt. Paperdue
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Procrastination: What's Really Going On
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