You know you have homework to do. You know when it's due. But instead of starting working, you tell yourself "I'll do it later."
Procrastination is something almost every student has done, but why is it so easy to put off work even when we know we'll eventually have to do it?
For Nabiha, it can come from feeling overwhelmed. "Because the schoolwork can feel so overwhelming that it's better to just not think about it," she said.
Avoiding an assignment might feel better in the moment, but stress usually starts building as the deadline gets closer. Hansika said procrastinating can make students “get panicked and get stressed,” which can lead to not doing their best when they finally do the work.
With so many assignments to keep track of, students also have different ways of getting themselves to start. Schoology can help students see what they have coming up, and some students use a homework checker extension to keep track of their assignments. This tool helps the students cross off the assignments they have already completed.
For Jyothsana, seeing her workload can be enough motivation. "Looking at the Schoology calendar and worrying about my grade helps me start an assignment," she said.
Although procrastination can be hard to avoid, starting with something small can make an assignment feel less overwhelming. Instead of worrying about everything that needs to be done at the same time, students should focus on just getting something started. Once you have started something, it's usually easier to finish it.
After all, sometimes the hardest part of an assignment isn't doing it. It's opening it in the first place.
