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I have trouble with my school work due to procrastinating. And my anxiety always gets in the way. How do I get things done?

300 Answers
Last Updated: 06/08/2022 at 4:36am
1 Tip to Feel Better
South Africa
Moderated by

Claudette Pretorius, MA Counselling Psychology

Licensed Professional Counselor

I know how overwhelming it can feel when you're having a tough time. I offer clients a space that is non-judgemental and empathetic whilst navigating these times together.

Top Rated Answers
blissfulNature12
April 18th, 2020 7:14am
Try setting a time specifically for doing school work without distractions. Turn off your phone or put it on "do not disturb" and make sure you have a quiet space with good lightening. This may help motivate you to get things done. Have a space in your home that is designated for school work only. Then, when you are in this space you may be more inclined to do your work. Having a schedule planner or way to track when you will have free time as well so that you do not feel overworked. Hopefully this helps you get things done.
GoodnessSeeker
April 21st, 2020 4:54am
School work is hard to do because we don't feel any value from it. But anxiety about being regret of not doing class work always gets in the way especially when it's near the deadline. Anxiety is painful so the best way is done the school work. How? Make a dummy of the class work. It's very easy to create a dummy like you careless if it's true or false at least you've done it. Start by simply taking a pen or open a new file then write carelessly the answers of the school work. You'll feel much better after doing the dummy, and you will be simply add some detail to each answer until it's not a dummy anymore. Then task done, hooray~
CoolNamePending
April 22nd, 2020 3:39am
Sometimes looking at the work that needs to get done can be overwhelming. All we can see is the mountain. You need to see the base camp at the bottom. Try setting a goal for yourself to get a little done each day. When you start to see the pile getting smaller you will feel better and you'll be more enthusiastic to keep working on it. Give yourself permission to have a break but always set a goal to get a certain amount done. If this doesn't help and you are still struggling with your anxiety 7 cups has lots of useful guides to help you. Feel free to write back.
empathicSunshine6869
April 29th, 2020 12:15pm
First thing's first; ask yourself why you're procrastinating; is the anxiety fuelling that procrastination? Sometimes it's hard to get started on a piece of work if we're worried that it won't be "good enough" no matter what we do. One of the best things you can do is talk to a trusted teacher about what you're feeling, and maybe ask about counselling; a lot of schools and colleges have student counselling that you can access, and you might find that it helps you in the long-term. In the short-term, talking to a trusted tutor or teacher can help you get a bit of support in the short-term; they can't help you if they don't know what you're going through. Getting things done is a nice side-effect of working on understanding why you're procrastinating :)
Anonymous
May 3rd, 2020 5:17pm
It sounds like anxiety is getting in the way of your focus. I can definitely understand that. You are not alone! Something that has worked for me, from personal experience, is taking many more short breaks. This way, it allows you to get much more done when you have a shorter period of time you need to focus on. What works for you could be different though, you could try taking deep breaths and doing 5 minute meditations or taking 5 minute phone breaks in between study periods. I sincerely hope this helps with time and practice. Good luck!
Anonymous
July 7th, 2021 4:48pm
One thing that has helped is setting manageable goals by writing what I need to do on paper, like a checklist. For example, let's say today is Monday, and I have one paper, 5 homework assignments, and 2 tests to study for, all due on Friday. For each weekday, you could set a goal on how much you need to get done in order to have everything turned in on time. For monday, you could get the research done for the paper as well as two homework assignments, and 30 minutes of studying for each test. The next day, you could write half the paper, one homework assignment, and 30 minutes of studying for each test. Essentially, the goal is to get everything done in time, while chunking away at it in a manageable pace. Another thing that helps is to discuss with the teacher/professor regarding your anxiety. Its hard to open up, but communication is very important when dealing with anxiety. Sometimes, teachers won't be understanding, and that's when you can talk to the school counselor or school administration. You can register with disability services for anxiety, that way you can get extra time on assignments and tests.
Anonymous
January 6th, 2021 7:20pm
Sometimes procrastination and anxiety can become barriers to finishing quality work on time. A good trick to help combat procrastination and anxiety is to break tasks into smaller, more digestible chunks, so that the workload seems less daunting. For instance, if you have a book report due by a certain date, you could break that into steps to be completed at set times before the final due date: 1) read the book, 2) research and pull quotes that will support your report, 3) write a rough draft of the report, 4) edit the draft, 5) write a final draft of the report 6) turn in the report. This way, by breaking one big task into smaller tasks with spaced out "due dates", it makes the end task less daunting and more realistic, so that it is not as intimidating to start working on.
Anonymous
January 17th, 2021 5:16am
Sameee.Honestly it's so hard to get things done, like I always get distracted or tell myself I'll do it later which just makes my life harder lol .When you do your work make sure there's nothing else there that can distract you (a phone, other device or whatever it is that distracts you).Even if you really don't feel like doing it, force yourself to because that work is just gonna pile up and cause more stress later.get it done and over with.Keeping a weekly planner helps, write down the things you have to do for each day and strictly stick by it.💖 You'll get used to it after a while and it really helps with a managing Your time.
HelpingListener12
January 28th, 2021 2:38am
I have dealt with this issue a lot in my life. Even as a college senior, I continue to struggle at times. My biggest piece of advice is to set aside a certain time every day (or however many days you need to in order to get the work done) and clear out any distractions from where you are. If you are working on school work at home in your bedroom, maybe switching to another room will help. Or, if you are getting distracted by objects like your phone, it may be a good idea to put the phone in another room or turn it off altogether.
BigHeart0207
January 28th, 2021 6:55am
I understand how stressful school can be, especially as a procrastinator. From personal experience, my best friend has been time management. Although time management doesn't come naturally, with a well planned schedule and motivation, It will become easier and easier. Keep in mind, this too can be stressful for some people. Sometimes, when the going gets too tough, it's best to take a small step back and reflect. Find where the source of your stress is, and build up from there. Even then, it's okay to walk away for a minute. Take a break from everything that's weighing you down, and do something that lifts you back up.
Amypaco
January 29th, 2021 12:24am
First, it is always necessary to think about what is causing the anxiety most. Is it a presentation for history class or an upcoming essay? Very probably there is more than one thing that is causing anxiety. In either case, it is important to tackle each task one by one. While its very easy to put the task aside and procrastinate, doing so will cause the workload to quickly accumulate. And this will cause STRESS! What I personally do is writeup a list of the tasks I have to do. I then set goals for my self for that week. Finishing an entire essay in one day is impossible however, by aiming to finish a paragraph each day, it is possible to finish the essay in a week. The same strategy can be applied to assignments of any subject.Also, make sure to plan a reward for yourself after completing each small goal.
DangerZoneLibra2
January 31st, 2021 9:01pm
Relax and believe in yourself and know it’s something to work around, time is a running thing, school is multiple hours a day for one, give yourself and mind release and breathe and understand it’s ok to feel pressure or anxiety but fix those other things causing it, tone them down, find your calm and happy place. Don’t let your emotions get in the way, think of it as in the end it will be less anxiety stacked up because as humans we procrastinate and when we get things done we feel better, start with something simple like making your bed in the morning and smile at those little things to make it more complete, cancel other distractions out to get those problems and emotions built up out of the way! You’ve got this! ☀️
Anonymous
February 5th, 2021 4:29pm
I can relate to this problem. My thoughts keep getting in the way of me doing my work. I myself have tried listening to classical music but that ended up distracting me. One thing I find really helpful is to write all of your thoughts down on a piece of paper. That way, you have an outlet for them. Also, record a time lapse of you doing your homework on your phone! That way, you wouldn't have to use your phone and you've got a video of yourself in the end doing your homework. It sounds absurd but do try it as it may work for you. Lastly, listen to library/fireplace/rain sounds on youtube while doing your homework. I discovered this recently but it has worked so far. This is an alternative to listening to music.
royalRiver7128
February 28th, 2021 2:21am
Set a timer for five minutes and try to get as much work done in that small time span as possible. You will probably want to continue after the timer rings. This is because getting started is often the hardest part of completing work. Another tip I have to managing anxiety is to remind yourself that not every day needs to be productive. Some days, you won't want to do any work and that's fine. Sometimes I used to push myself to do work even when I needed a break, and the quality of my work decreased. That's why taking mental health days helps a lot.
Misty72
February 28th, 2021 6:39pm
Anxiety can be a useful tool in giving us the push that we need to get stuff finished in a designated time frame. In my opinion the longer you put something off the more stress it builds. You could try doing your homework as soon as it is due that way the stress of you doing your homework is minimal because you are not stretching it out over a prolonged period of time. So I guess what I am trying to say is it may be possible that the procrastination might be causing the anxiety. But trust me you are not alone! I think lots of people caused them self anxiety by putting things off that need to be done, At the last minute.
Anonymous
March 7th, 2021 4:15am
First, you need to analyze the situation and learn to notice when you’re beginning to get anxious. Notice things like physical changes in your body, just knowing when it’s happening is a great tool. Then, calm down take a breather and see if the situation is worth the anxiety. Usually at this point, you realizes that there’s an easy way out rather than having to cope with anxiety. Once you feel like you’ve tackled anxiety, you can work on the procrastination. Typically, you’re asked to do your school work as far away from any kind of distractions as possible. Sit somewhere alone and quite, and try to not get distracted by things around you. Sitting away from anything of the sort is great help
DvineListener143
March 14th, 2021 8:31pm
I hear you saying that procrastination and anxiety are causing you to have trouble with your schoolwork. These feelings can be a difficult to overcome. We have a anxiety resource available to you if you'd like to begin to manage your feelings of anxiety. You are most important person in this situation, so practicing self-care is vital to managing this feelings you have. In my experience, doing calming and relaxing exercises have helped me to relieve feelings of anxiety. Can you tell me more about how you feel when anxiety begins to obstruct you from doing what you set out to do?
Anonymous
March 17th, 2021 7:49am
I would go for a walk and then write in my daily planner and I would focus on the assignments that needed to be done first. I would focus on my hard work first. Then I slowly work my way through the easy work as well. I mean it was easy for me to remember and I would focus on my grades and get help from my professors and I would pass my exam and my tasks were easily filled and done. I would call my professors and let them know that I done all my homework. I was proud of myself.
TrishaToTheTea
April 17th, 2021 5:44pm
Ah, the wall of procrastination. I know that one very well. Here are a few tips which I hope will be helpful to you.... * Take small steps to get yourself to start. That's the important thing - just starting. For example, take your book out and open it. Then, take the next step - for example, writing the date. Then do the first question. Then the next. And so on.... * Have a neat workspace. Work in a space that you are proud of! Try to keep your desk/table as clutter-free as possible. Keeping it nice and clear can be tricky, but try to find a space for everything. Add a pen holder, or an old tin, to keep things tidier. * Make a list of the things that you need to do. This might overwhelm you at first, but you've got this! It will help you to realise what you need to get done. Then, number your list in order of what needs to get done first. Or, you could do the little tasks first to get them out of the way. You may find that you enjoy ticking items off; it can be very satisfying. * Add pictures or items to your workspace that will motivate you and make you feel a sense of calm and happiness. * Reward yourself after you have been productive. * Remember to take breaks in between! Have intervals of doing work, it can be an hour or 30 minutes, or even 20 minutes! Telling yourself that you are going to sit down and do some work for 20 minutes is less overwhelming and is less likely to de-motivate you. * Plan ahead. Write down important dates, or have a calendar so that you can stay on track and not fall too far behind. Remember, procrastination is completely normal! We all do it. Unfortunately, as guilty as it makes us feel sometimes, it's so much easier to avoid completing tasks in our lives. Just try to get a little bit done at a time - after all, it's more than what you would have done! You know what you need to do. It's not always easy to do it, but if you make small changes and take small steps towards it, you may find it slightly easier.
LindaLuHu9
May 8th, 2021 6:47pm
One thing that I have found is the more I procrastinate, the more stress and anxiety I feel. I think the best thing you can do is set up small, achievable goals that you can get done each day to help motivate you. I find that this helps to relieve some of my anxiety and after I get the small tasks done, I am more likely to keep working and get more done. I also find that it is good to set time limits. I set a timer on my phone for 20-30 minutes where I constantly work on school work for that time period and then I take a 5-10 minute break. I hope that this helps.
h0lycow
May 9th, 2021 11:23am
In my experience, I’ve found that creating a planned timetable/schedule really helps, also include rest breaks, sports/hobbies, and save a big chunk of your time for self care on the schedule. Setting up a checklist on a whiteboard or notepad with your goals for the week is also really helpful as getting to tick or cross off something off that list gives a a sense of achieving and also having that visual aid allows us not to forget tasks or procrastinate. I’ve also found that creating a reward system helps for an example giving yourself a chocolate after finishing one subject or goal.
embracetheunknown17
June 25th, 2021 10:19am
My most effective way on managing procrastination is to tell myself to do the first, most bearable step ONLY. For example, if I have a 2000-word essay due this week, and the sheer load is making me anxious, the last thing I want to do is start writing. However, I just tell myself, "You just have to open Microsoft Word. That's it." And that's what I do. After that I can choose to actually continue writing or not. But at least I gave myself the confidence that when I put my mind to do something (Even if it's small), I boost my self-esteem and it helps me do things easier next time!
bwoop1102
March 27th, 2022 7:52pm
From my personal experience, setting up a schedule for yourself helps a lot. I've had times where I would have to write an entire essay in a maximum of 4 hours because I was procrastinating so much. But, taking some time to lay out a schedule can help. Choose specific days to put milestones for your work on. This will help you take your time to work on your school work and help you be able to get your work finished in a reasonable amount of time. Also, taking breaks can be really good for you too! I hope that this helps someone out there.
Anonymous
January 29th, 2022 7:41am
I think part of the reason we procrastinate is because we find our school work to be overwhelming or too big of a task to accomplish. So, we put it off, but that only makes us feel more anxious that we're not getting anything done. I find that a useful way to beat procrastination is making to-do lists and breaking your school work down into smaller chunks or parts. Breaking it down can help you feel less anxious and will also allow you to manage your time better. So, you can do a little everyday until it's all completed.
colourfulVision12
February 6th, 2022 8:55am
I know how that feels, I struggle with ADHD myself and it is hard to get school work done. Here are a few suggestions: you can work for 5 or 10 minutes really hard and then give yourself a 5 min break and then again work and then break; it really helps to get things done. Another thing you can do is to create a to-do list and start with things that are easier so that you can be motivated and less distracted to do more school work. Another thing you can do is to do it with friends that will help you stay focussed. I hope it helps.
stefani54
February 20th, 2022 12:28am
The best way to get rid of procrastinating is to use study aids and methods, like studying for 25mins and relaxing for 10 mins. Its really helpful and gives you a chance to use a timer to keep you on track. Also, using a study planner is one of the best ways to help keep you on track, it breaks down your tasks to only one thing at a time so tasks are not so overwhelming. As for the anxiety try to ground yourself when this happens, light some candles, or have relaxing lighting will really help you tackle the school work. I hope this helps. You can also look into other things that will help you to not be anxious.
Kpopcat2020
March 10th, 2022 12:59pm
Oh my gosh, procrastinating may seem good, but it destroys long-term goals. Also, anxiety is tough, too. Here are some things to do to stop it: -Forgive yourself for past procrastinating. -Promise a reward to yourself if you do ________ in __ hours. -Commit to whatever you are doing. -Ask a family member or friend to check in on you every week/month/day. -Minimize any distractions. -Focus on the goal that you have ahead of you. What is it? What's the reward? How long will it take? -Write reminders to yourself to do it. -Aim to do all the work by a certain time and then relax for the rest of the day once it is all done.
GalaxyRaven
April 4th, 2022 4:44pm
Hi! I used to procastinate a lot in school and then I realised I have to plan my time. For example, if I’m not tired or hungry during a break, I would do some homework during that time. When I get home, I walk my dog, eat something and after that I immediately sit down to do homework that I need to be done tomorrow. Don’t forget to have short breaks. When I finish my tomorrow’s HW, I would start working on other school work that will be needed that week or study for a test. Friday evenings and Saturdays were the times I would relax and if I had more work I did it on Sundays. Shortly: I planned my time and it helped me with procastinating and then getting anxious about not getting done anything on time. Hope it helps 🤞
JuneTrips
April 20th, 2022 3:27pm
I'm sorry to hear that lovely! I understand that procrastinating combined with anxiety is the literal worse. I have trouble staying focused and I always tend to procrastinate doing my work too. I definitely know what it's like to get in trouble because of this! Procrastinating makes me more anxious, and when I'm anxious I don't do work, which makes it worse. I try to mitigate this by stopping the cycle before it has a chance to start and negatively affect me. I've tried many techniques but the ones that I've found most useful is finding a study space (not your bed!) where there aren't a lot of distractions (I tend to get distracted by objects around me so my study space is literally just a desk with nothing around it) and closing all the other tabs that I don't need on my computer. I then set 30-minute timers with the goal being to do work for those 30 minutes. After that, I take a 10-minute break to walk around, get some water and then I repeat the process until I finish all of my work. Another technique that works for me is giving my phone (or any possibly distracting thing) to a friend or putting it in another room so that I won't have the urge to look at it. I also find that putting yourself in an environment where everyone else is studying such as a library also helps, because since everyone is working so hard I also do the same. All in all, it's about finding the methods that work best for you. I hope that you're able to find ways to increase your productivity and lessen your anxiety!
Vithleem
January 13th, 2022 6:43pm
You can try to make a list of what you need to do, for example studying for a test, completing an assignment, finishing a presentation etc. Prioritize what you need to do, which means that you can write the most important tasks that you have and move on to the less important ones. Making lists will help you see clearly the work that needs to be one. After that, you can write down how much time you have to spent on each task. For example, you may need 2 hours to study for a test and then another hour to prepare your presentation. Make sure that you frequently take quick breaks- they are much needed! During those breaks, you can take some deep breaths, listen to relaxing music for a little or make a call to a friend- just keep it short! Good luck!