Procrastination is the most common problem that students face, and it can lead to poor academic performance, personal growth, and overall well-being. Due to distractions, lack of interest, ineffective time management, or fear of failure, procrastination leads to late nights, last-minute submissions, and excessive stress. St. Wilfred’s School Panvel, the top CBSE schools Panvel, understands that procrastination needs to be broken so that students perform at their best level. Thankfully, procrastination can be broken with the correct strategy. In this article, we will highlight some effective tips that can assist students in breaking the habit of procrastination and developing good work habits.
Break up tasks into manageable pieces
One of the most common reasons why students procrastinate is that they are intimidated by the size or complexity of a task. Big assignments or projects may seem overwhelming, and in most cases, this intimidates the student so much that they avoid attempting it at all. The solution to overcoming this is to divide large tasks into smaller, less intimidating tasks.
If you can look at a project as composed of lots of little things rather than this monster assignment, then it is doable. For example, rather than, “I have to write a 10-page paper,” the student can break the paper down into sections, for example:
- Research the topic
- Create an outline
- Write the introduction
- Create each body paragraph
- Edit and proofread the paper
By focusing on a single small part of the project at a time, students can gain momentum and continue to make steady progress without interruption. Not only does this make the project appear less overwhelming, but it also avoids the dangerous emotions that come with procrastination.
Use a Time Management System
Effective time management is the key to overcoming procrastination. Without any organized plan, a student will procrastinate, get distracted by other activities, and lose a great deal of time. A time management system can help students stay organized, prioritize, and allocate sufficient time to each task.
Pomodoro Technique is among the most effective time management techniques. The technique makes students study in concentrated periods of 25 minutes with a 5-minute break between them. Students get a break of 15-30 minutes after each set of four periods. The technique prevents burnout, enhances productivity, and keeps students’ level of interest high in their work.
Time-blocking is also an effective method, where students block specific time periods for activities. For instance, a student can block 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM for studying mathematics and 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM for essay writing. It keeps the students on track during the day and avoids procrastination because there is a planned schedule.
In addition, students can also utilize to-do lists or computer programs such as Trello, Todoist, or Google Calendar to rank tasks by priority and deadline. An organized to-do list not only reminds students of their tasks but also provides them with a sense of achievement as they mark tasks off as they are finished.
Set Realistic and Achievable Goals
One of the most significant reasons for procrastination is setting unrealistic or over-ambitious goals. If the project is too enormous, too heavy, or too unfeasible, students will be too scared of failure and put off starting the project. To avoid this, students must set realistic, attainable goals for each study session or assignment.
Rather than setting vague or broad objectives like “Study for the exam” or “Finish the project,” ask students to break down their objectives into specific and measurable goals. For example:
- “Read and take notes on Chapter 3 of textbook”
- “Complete the introduction and first half of the essay”
- “Complete the first five problems of the math homework”
The task becomes more within reach and less intimidating with small and specific goals. As the students reach these small goals, they experience a feeling of accomplishment, and this inspires them to continue.
Identify the root cause of procrastination
Procrastination is generally an indication of some underlying issues such as fear of failure, perfectionism, motivation, or anxiety. If students are aware of the underlying cause of procrastination, they can better deal with it.
For instance:
- Fear of failure: Other students procrastinate on the grounds of fear of not doing something perfectly. Here, students must be reminded that errors are a part of learning. It’s important to remind them that learning and growth come from errors, not avoiding challenges.
- Perfectionism: Perfectionists procrastinate when starting tasks because they are afraid of doing them incorrectly. Ask students to be realistic and assure them that completion of the task is the most important thing, not doing it perfectly. Focus on progress, not perfection, can reduce procrastination.
- Lack of motivation: If the students are not interested in performing something, they will procrastinate. To deal with this, help the students connect the activity to something they like. For example, if they are writing an essay, they can try to connect it to something they like or a common experience. Or help them imagine the future benefits of getting the job done, like improved grades or learning skills.
Through understanding and addressing the reason why they procrastinate, students can begin to eliminate the problems that are causing them and preventing them from beginning.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions are one of the primary causes of procrastination. With the advent of the digital age, students are easily distracted by social networking, mobile phones, and other activities not related to studies. In a bid to make the students focused and remain productive, minimizing distractions in study matters.
Some recommendations for avoiding distractions include:
- Mute phone notifications: Ask students to mute their phone notifications or take their phone into another room when they study. This eliminates the urge to look at social media or answer messages.
- Utilize website blockers: Tools like Cold Turkey, Freedom, or StayFocusd allow students to block distracting websites while studying.
- Create a quiet, organized work environment: A well-organized, quiet and clean study environment helps students focus and prevent procrastination.
By giving them a distraction-free environment, students can concentrate and accomplish work better.
Practice Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is an effective way to motivate students and avoid procrastination. Students should be rewarded after they have completed work or made progress. This offers positive reinforcement regarding work completion and encourages students to work.
For example:
- Take a brief rest after finishing an activity.
- Enjoy a treat or snack after a task.
- Watch an episode of your favorite TV show after achieving a milestone.
By linking positive reinforcement with task accomplishment, students are less likely to be demoralized and procrastinate.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset
It is the individual with the growth mindset who believes that ability and intelligence can be developed and learned by effort and persistence. Growth mindset learners will be less prone to procrastinate because they view challenges as opportunities to learn, not as a self-worth threat.
Instruct students to develop a growth mindset by:
- Recognizing mistakes as learning opportunities.
- Prioritizing effort and perseverance over short-term success.
- Embracing challenges and the fact that failure is a learning experience.
Growth mindset learners are likely to take action, learn from the experience, and keep on going even in the face of adversity.
Establish Accountability
Accountability is a powerful motivator in helping students overcome procrastination. If students know that someone is keeping an eye on their performance, they will be more inclined in keeping pace and getting things done in a timely context.
The students can report to a parent, friend, or teacher and make follow-ups regularly to report progress. For example, students can commit to sending a short note or email when a task or milestone is completed. Regular follow-ups provide an added dose of encouragement and keep the students on track.
Conclusion
Procrastination is a problem everywhere, but one that can be solved. With the proper measures, students are able to overcome procrastination and develop good study habits. St. Wilfred’s School Panvel, a top school in Panvel, focuses on overcoming procrastination to help students achieve their full potential. Breaking work into little pieces, scheduling time, setting achievable goals, and eliminating distractions help students stay focused and get work done. Furthermore, having a growth mindset, praising effort, and creating accountability also help students take control of their work and overcome procrastination. With regular practice and proper guidance, students are able to manage time, reduce stress, and achieve academically.