Procrastination

Are you reading this because you want to stop procrastinating, or because you are procrastinating? If the former, then learn more about what procrastination is and how you can overcome it. If the later, well at least this is better than watching TV or surfing the net.

What is procrastination?

Procrastinating is putting off doing a required task, often by finding something else to do. This creates a lot of stress because the task still needs to be done, and you run out of time to do it in. The result is that when you do hand in the assignment (if you do at all), it is far from your best work.

Reasons for procrastinating include:

• not being motivated in your course,
• perfectionism,
• believing the task is too difficult, too big or too boring,
• fear of failure, or
• poor time management.

Procrastination has a way of rewarding itself. When you stop studying to procrastinate, the anxiety about the study goes away and you feel better. This reward is short lived however as you soon realise that the task still needs to be done, only now with less time and more anxiety. To overcome procrastination you need to put up with some anxiety so you can start your study. The reward and relief of having completed an assignment that you are proud of is much greater than the quick fix you get by procrastinating.

Quick tips

1. Start now! The longest journey starts with a single step.
2. Don't let procrastination be its own reward. Reward yourself after every hour of study you do with something pleasant.
3. If you think the task is boring or too difficult, identify why.
4. Study with someone else.
5. Plan, plan, plan your study for each week.
6. Set realistic goals for yourself.

Getting help

• Make an appointment with a Deakin counsellor
• Make an appointment with a Deakin University Language and Learning Adviser