University Coaching & Academic Mentoring
Investigating Procrastination: What Actually Works?
By Janet Brownell
Procrastination isn’t a new concept, especially not to college students. One of the most common questions I receive is, “I know I procrastinate, but what can I really do about it?” Many students feel anxious or frustrated when strategies they try don’t seem to work, leaving procrastination habits just as strong as before. Sometimes, these approaches feel more like band-aid fixes than real solutions. However, procrastination isn’t necessarily about laziness or a lack of motivation. At the core of procrastination, is a struggle to self regulate and manage the negative associations caused by a task (Sliny, 2024). I often hear students describing how these negative associations snowball, leading to complete avoidance. A good starting point when working through procrastination, is to begin questioning.
Beginning Your Investigation With a Helpful Read
An article I recommend reading, “What Stops Me From Starting?”, by June Sliny, provides insight into procrastination and targeted solutions to try. Her article illuminates how procrastination is not a one-size-fits-all concept and the role self regulation plays.
Questions to Get You Thinking:
- Is it that I don’t know how to or that I don’t want to?
- Am I being honest with myself about my progress?
- What part of the task am I avoiding?
So What’s the Bottom Line?
The bottom line is that learning more about our habits can set ourselves up for long-term success. Instead of passing harsh judgements onto ourselves, think of how you would guide a friend through a similar situation.
Whether you’re working on a paper or answering emails, be patient with yourself and try to remain curious instead of critical.
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