Procrastination: How to Meet Deadlines During Your Studies
IT ClusterProcrastination is a familiar word to every student. It might seem like an innocent habit of “starting a bit later,” but in reality, it seriously impacts productivity, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.
Kharkiv IT Cluster shares practical tips on how to overcome the tendency to delay important tasks and start submitting your work on time.
What Is Procrastination: Definition and Core Concepts
Procrastination is constantly putting off important tasks, even when you know they need to be done.
What is procrastination in simple terms? It’s the habit of replacing important tasks with less meaningful or more enjoyable activities. It’s when you know you need to write an essay or prepare for an exam, but end up watching videos or scrolling through social media instead.
Procrastination is not laziness — it’s often an inner conflict between motivation, fear, and self-discipline.
The Psychology of Procrastination: Causes and Impact
What are the main causes of procrastination? Psychologists explain that it’s not just a lack of willpower. It’s the brain’s response to stress — avoiding unpleasant emotions related to a task.
Psychologically, procrastination is often caused by
- fear of failure
- low self-esteem
- perfectionism
- lack of clear goals
- exhaustion and emotional burnout
Chronic and Academic Procrastination: How They Manifest
Chronic procrastination is a habit that becomes deeply rooted over time. People delay everything, from studying to daily chores. This behavior negatively affects their careers and well-being.
Academic procrastination is a specific form that occurs during the learning process. For example, when a student puts off writing a term paper until the last day or starts studying for an exam just a day before the deadline.
The more often a person avoids tasks, the harder it becomes to break this pattern.
How to Overcome Procrastination: Practical Strategies and Tips
- Break tasks into smaller parts
Large tasks can feel overwhelming. Divide them into smaller steps — it will be easier to get started. - Use the 5-minute rule
Promise yourself to work for just 5 minutes. Often, this is enough to get into the flow and keep going. - Plan your day
Create a schedule based on your real capacity. Set clear priorities for the day. - Try the Pomodoro technique
Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat 4 cycles, then take a longer break. - Minimize distractions
Put away your phone, close unnecessary tabs, and activate focus mode.
