This means putting something off until the last minute often when panic kicks in. Watch Tim Urban's TED talk on procrastination. Often it results in stress and getting a poorer mark than you are capable of. Often putting something off until the last possible time results in increased stress and not doing as well as you are capable of doing.
You might procrastinate because:
- You are not sure where to start
- You feel overwhelmed by the task
- You think it might not be good enough to get a good mark
- You don't have the right information or the necessary skills yet.
Some practical steps you can take include:
- Breaking down the task into manageable chunks
- Setting deadlines and mini deadlines
- Use tools, tech, rewards, alarms, timers.....whatever works to help you focus for short bursts that need concentration.
- Be accountable to someone - work with a friend or set up a study group
- Commit to 5 minutes. The aim here is to commit to starting a task you have avoided and commit to doing that task for 5 minutes. Often when it is started it feels less daunting.
