I will do this article tomorrow…. This is what I said and this article was made a week after. We’ve all been there: a bunch of homework, an essay due tomorrow, or a science project that was definitely assigned a month ago but somehow you just forgot about it. Yet, instead of working on those things, here you are, reading this article. Doing things the night before has definitely become a bad habit in which many students are stuck on. Welcome to the wild world of procrastination, where the motto is: Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?
The Procrastination Cycle
Step one: You sit down, fully intending to be productive. You crack open your books, turn on your laptop, and… you immediately grab your phone and open TikTok. Thirty minutes later, you realize that a friend sent you an instagram reel and you stay another 30 minutes on Instagram. With that, you waste hours away doing absolutely nothing productive and nothing gets done.
Step two: Snack break. Because, obviously, you can’t work on an empty stomach.
Then there’s the obligatory doom scrolling spiral, where one video about “study tips” somehow turns into a binge-watch of cat memes. Before you know it, it’s midnight, and that math assignment is staring you in the face. Sound familiar?
The Procrastinator Excuses
1. “I work better under pressure” NO, you do not. “Deadlines inspire me.” It stresses you, but you have no choice. Sure, the idea of being under pressure sounds motivating, but the reality is that you’re just panicking at 11 PM, stressing over every word you type, and not even doing your best work. These excuses are from certified procrastinators, me included…
2. “I’ll do it for 10 minutes and then take a break” Two hours later you will be looking at a Youtube video on how to make a recipe that you will never make. Meanwhile, your assignment is still sitting there, and “doing it later” is looking more and more like a lie you tell yourself every time.
3. “I can work better at night.” Sure, the idea of working under the glow of a desk lamp at midnight sounds romantic in theory. But let’s be real, by the time midnight hits, your brain is already too fried to focus.
The Bright Side of Procrastination
Believe it or not, procrastination isn’t always the villain. Some say it can spark creativity. You might stumble upon some ideas while avoiding your work. And, hey, who doesn’t love the thrill of typing a 1,000-word essay at 2 AM, fueled by sheer panic and some coffee?
Tips for Overcoming Procrastination
Break It Down: Small tasks are less intimidating. “Write one paragraph” sounds easier than “finish the entire report.”
Set a Timer: Try the Pomodoro Technique, work for 25 minutes, then reward yourself with a short break.
Team work: Team up with a friend to keep each other in check. Or at least have someone to complain to when procrastination wins.
At the end of the day, a little procrastination never hurt anyone. Just make sure it doesn’t take over your life. After all, there’s a difference between a fun “study break” and a last-minute project. So, if you’re reading this and avoiding homework, maybe it’s time to LOCK IN, and get to work.
Or… you know, maybe tomorrow.
