Procrastination Issues
I have major procrastination when it comes to writing essays. I'll usually put it off to the last minute because it's so overwhelming to look at, which only really makes it worse for me. However, somehow I enjoy the pressure (although its so painfully stressful). I've always gotten high marks as well, despite procrastination, and have convinced myself that procrastination is the key to high grades (sounds silly, I know). I really want to break this habit though, I hate the stress. Any ideas?
Hi @philosophicalCat2438 it is common to fall into that cycle of procrastinating, managing to accomplish the task in the last minute, and having the feeling that the procrastination itself has helped us feel more motivated or work harder. So we decide to repeat it again, and we have success again but the stress is still there and sometimes it can be overwhelming. Have you thought of breaking the task into smaller pieces and trying to do one smallstep at the time (passageby passage)?
Hi, maku. I have tried that a few times, but I tend to give up pretty easily. I think that's only because it became such a strong habit. I guess if I continue to break it into smaller pieces, and stick to it, eventually that will become a habit. I'll try that. Thanks for the reply :)
I struggled with exactly what you are describing through most of my undergrad studies. It always seemed doable because the deadlines were usually not too far in the future - but it certainly caused a lot of unnecessarystress. Now thatI'm in grad school it's a more dangerous habit because there are no concrete deadlines and it's possible to just procrastinate forever. A method that I'm finding helpful is to tell myself that I'll work on a task for 25 minutes - then I set a timer and shut off all distractions.If it's a writing task, sometimes I shut off the computer and grab a pen and paper for the draft. At the end of the 25 minutes, I take a 5 minute break (again,a timer), then get ready for another 25 minute work session. (I use an app called Clear Focus to set the timers - it follows the principle of the "pomodoro technique")
I still struggle with procrastination, but I do find it easier to picture myself doing a task for 25 minutes than to picture myself doing a task for the rest of the day. Then if I just get that 1st 25 minutes done, I'm usually able to keep working (and even if I don't keep working, at least I got 25 minutes done, right?)
Good luck :)
Thank you so much, delphin, for sharing this technique. I have started it and hope it will become a habit :)
I procrastinate all the time too. This semester might be the worst. All my classes are finished by Wednesday so it's like Wednesday night is a Friday night. So it puts me in a lazy mindset. Also most of my Monday classes have gotten cancelled due to snow. My classes are at night so the night before class I just push off reading/homeworks til the next day.
I procrastinate with pretty much anything that means having to see people or go outside. 'I'll do it in a minute' I think. But then that minute turns into an hour which turns into more.
I really enjoyed reading these answers. I guess my solution would be similar to delphin's. When I was in undergrad, I thought maybe procrastination brought the best out in me too. lol but I learned that it becomes more difficult when you have essays due for 2 or more classes the same day. I found myself finishing my papers literally minutes before they were due. Thank God for electronic submissions. Haha! I always used to plan to start early, but never did because I didn't feel like it. lol I wasn't up to starting early this time either, but I gave myself rewards. If I study for an hour, I can watch TVfor an hour. Or, I can't eat dinner until I type 2 pages of this essay. It worked. It was still a pain, but it made me better.
I'll admit that I procrastinated on responding to your reply to my thread
Thank you for your response. I will try the reward system as well
I also have a lot of trouble (particularly with essays) and I often put thingss off a lot. Something I find really helpful is taking it bit by bit, like doing a paragraph then take a break. I normally feel overwhelmed by the idea of tackling an entire essay, however just one paragraph is a lot more manageable. Just a thought
I also have a lot of trouble (particularly with essays) and I often put thingss off a lot. Something I find really helpful is taking it bit by bit, like doing a paragraph then take a break. I normally feel overwhelmed by the idea of tackling an entire essay, however just one paragraph is a lot more manageable. Just a thought
I am the queen of procrastination, I lack motivation, drive and overall enthusiasm. I always wait until the last minute and end up stressed out and annnoyedand feeling like i want to give up
Okay so I'm really bad at getting my school work done on time. I try to do it early just in case, but that doesn't always work. I told my teachers about it today, and I hope they understand, but they probably wont do anything. I can't seem to find interest in school but I can sure spend a lot of time on here.
What works for me is planning it on a calendar. I will plan to do my research, then my outline. Then, I work on the body subject by subject. Next, I do my intro and conclusion (always done after the body), and finally, I edit/revise/format. Breaking it down like that is helpful, and I also start out by writing it in a fun way. Example: BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELTS CUZ I'M ABOUT TO LEARN YOU A THING I ONLY LEARNED MYSELF 2 HOURS AGO SO GET READY TO ENDURE THIS 2 AM CAFFEINE INDUCED ESSAY! Or something like that :)