If you've ever said, "I'll do it later", this one's for you.
Procrastination
Have you ever sat down to study for your test tomorrow but instead said to yourself, "Just one more TikTok, then I'll lock in," and suddenly it's been an hour since you've been scrolling through TikTok? Well, this is completely normal, and almost every teenager has faced this issue. It is not because you are lazy or get distracted easily. It is called procrastination. Studies show that around 80–95% of students procrastinate.
What is procrastination and why do I face this issue? Is it because I am lazy?
Procrastination is when you ignore or delay what you should be doing until another time because you just do not feel like doing it at that moment. This is not a sign of being lazy. Most of the time, it is a sign of feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or mentally exhausted.
Imagine you come back from school after studying and working for 7 to 8 hours a day, or even more. You sit down to start your assignment, but instead you scroll through social media or text your friends. This happens because your brain is already drained and needs a break.
Another reason many teenagers procrastinate is because they believe they work best under pressure. They think they will finish everything later and still do well. While this may sometimes work, it often leads to last minute cramming, unnecessary stress, less sleep, and lower grades.
Another common reason is self doubt. Many of us convince ourselves that we are going to get a low score anyway, so there is no point in trying our best. This way of thinking only makes it harder to start.
Is it really that bad to procrastinate?
There are two types of procrastinators: active procrastinators and passive procrastinators.
Active procrastinators choose to delay their work because they believe they perform better under pressure. They intentionally wait until the deadline gets closer and use that pressure as motivation to finish their work.
Passive procrastinators delay their work because they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of where to start. They do not actually want to procrastinate, but they struggle to begin.
Even if some people manage to finish their work at the last minute, making procrastination a habit can increase stress, affect the quality of your work, and make school feel much more overwhelming than it needs to be.
How can one stop procrastinating and can it affect your mental health?
The good news is that procrastination is a habit, and habits can be changed. One simple way to stop procrastinating is to break a big task into smaller ones. Instead of thinking about finishing the whole assignment, focus on completing one question or one paragraph at a time. Once you start, it becomes much easier to keep going.
Another helpful tip is to remove distractions while studying. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb, keep it out of reach, or study in a quiet place where you can focus. You can also try studying for 25 minutes and then taking a 5 minute break. This makes studying feel much less overwhelming.
Yes, procrastination can affect your mental health. Constantly putting off important work can make you feel guilty, anxious, and stressed. As deadlines get closer, the pressure builds up, making the task seem even harder than it actually is. This creates a cycle where stress causes procrastination, and procrastination causes even more stress.
Remember, everyone procrastinates sometimes. It does not mean you are lazy or incapable. Understanding why you procrastinate is the first step towards overcoming it. By making small changes to your daily routine, you can reduce stress, stay on top of your work, and feel more confident in yourself.