9 Research-Backed Ways to Say Goodbye to Procrastination

Procrastination is prevalent. Every student in their academic life goes through this phase. According to a study, approximately 95% of college students find themselves procrastinating, while 50% of students procrastinate consistently. Students who procrastinate consistently, leave their assignments incomplete or put off studying until the night before an actual exam date face poor grades.

Even worse, according to medical research, procrastination is linked to higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and poor academics. For many students, overcoming procrastination can be challenging. Fortunately, there are several research-backed strategies you can employ to bid farewell to this habit.
Let’s check them out.

Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

Believe it or not, it is one of the proven ways to beat procrastination. Instead of working on a big project or assignment, divide the tasks into smaller, more manageable parts.

This makes them less overwhelming and easier to tackle, reducing the likelihood of procrastination. This strategy is helpful for students who are overwhelmed by big projects or large assignments.

By making each and every part manageable, you can easily lower the chances of getting anxiety attacks associated with intimidating deadlines and the fear of missing deadlines.

Seek Positive Feedback to Grow

A little dose of motivation can lead you towards success. Students with low self-esteem may find it difficult to put their best efforts as they are worried about criticism and afraid of failure. Negative feedback can make students feel nervous and more self-conscious. It is always a great idea to find someone who appreciates your efforts and always encourages you to do your best.

This motivates you to achieve your goals, complete assignments on time, and become a successful student. Remember, positive feedback can make you feel empowered and encourage you to stay on top of your studies, which will eventually improve your academic performance.

Sharpen Your Time Management Skills

A study suggests that a majority of students lack the skills they need to study effectively; they don’t know how to schedule their time and make the most out of their routine. Learning time management skills can help you prepare for a good GPA. Yes, you read it right. Having a structured routine can help prevent procrastination by giving you a clear plan of action. When you allocate specific time slots for tasks in your schedule, you will find it easier to get all your tasks done on time.

Moreover, you can follow some time management techniques to get the best academic results. Techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique (working for 25 minutes, then taking a short break) can help you maintain focus and productivity. You can experiment with some other time management techniques as well to improve your academic performance.

Prioritize Tasks to Manage Workload

One of the major reasons why many students procrastinate and experience higher stress levels is the inability to manage their workload. The situation is worse when they can’t manage multiple assignments or tasks that are due at the same time. Many medical students pursuing an MD degree from med schools find it really hard to manage their academic load.

This inability causes students to get stressed, leading them to postpone assignments and ending up with academic procrastination. What’s the solution? Identify the most important tasks and prioritize them over less critical ones. This prevents you from procrastinating on essential duties.

Set Clear Goals

Students are more likely to put off an assignment when they don’t know how and when to start. The key to completing your assignments on time is to know clear expectations and requirements of the assignments. It is always a great idea to establish clear, achievable goals. Creating a roadmap for your tasks will make it easier to stay focused and motivated.

Using an admissions AI assistant for education can also reduce the overwhelming aspects of the application process for students by providing timely, clear responses to inquiries, reducing uncertainty and stress, which can contribute to procrastination.

Practice Self-Compassion

Everyone procrastinates; if you are experiencing it at some point, try to forgive yourself and motivate yourself not to do it again. Be kind to yourself when you experience setbacks or delays.

Research suggests that self-compassion can reduce procrastination by helping you bounce back from failures more effectively. Another study suggests that self-forgiveness can help you overcome procrastination and avoid postponing your tasks in the future.

Eliminate Distractions

Yes, distractions can break your focus when studying and make it a bit difficult to complete your assignment on time or prepare for the upcoming test. It is always a great idea to dedicate a specific space for studying and organize all your textbooks, lecture notes, and important academic materials.

Identify and eliminate distractions in your environment, such as social media, TV, or noisy surroundings, to maintain focus on your tasks. This simple strategy can help you stay focused and easily beat procrastination.

Seek Accountability

Make yourself accountable for your own deeds. It is undoubtedly a proven way to combat procrastination. Practice self-control and keep your goals and commitments in mind so that you can reduce procrastination. For instance, you can track your time to see exactly where and how you are spending your time during the day. There are many time tracking tools available that can let you track your time and eventually help you stop wasting your time procrastination.

Moreover, find a support system and share your goals and progress with a friend, family member, or colleague who can hold you accountable. Knowing that someone else is aware of your commitments can motivate you to follow through.

Establish a Reward System

Don’t forget to reward yourself. Create a system of rewards for completing tasks or reaching milestones. Give yourself a type of reward you like most. Whether it’s your favorite food, watching a movie, reading a book, or going for a jog with your loved one, rewards are important for your mental health. Positive reinforcement can help reinforce productive behavior, reduce procrastination, and keep you on the right track.

Clothing & Style Tips

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your work-from-home attire either. For some, wearing their favorite baseball jersey might provide just the right boost of comfort and positive associations to get motivated and tackle the day’s tasks.

The key is finding what makes you feel good and ready to be productive, even if it’s not traditional office wear.

Find clothing that puts you in a positive, productive mindset. Whether that’s business casual or your lucky jersey, choose items that make you feel confident and ready to take on your work.

Key Takeaways

Procrastination is a sign of a flaw in your self-regulation system. Everyone occasionally puts off tasks they don’t like. By incorporating these strategies into your routine and mindset, you can gradually overcome procrastination and improve your productivity and well-being. Hopefully, these useful strategies will help you stay on the right academic track and get a higher GPA.

Colleges, too, benefit from support systems to reach students more effectively; for example, a higher education SEO agency can help institutions attract prospective students by optimizing their online presence, making it easier for students to connect with programs suited to their goals. 

For those struggling with mental health challenges that fuel procrastination, seeking help from an online psychiatrist can provide valuable support. Mental health professionals can offer strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and procrastination, helping students stay on track academically while maintaining their well-being.