As summer comes to an end and the fall semester approaches, many students prepare themselves to return to school. But among these eager learners, you’ll find a specific type of student – the back to school procrastinator. If you can relate to last-minute assignment submissions and the endless cycle of studying for exams, then this article is for you. Here’s an honest confession of a back to school procrastinator.
The start of the school year marks a fresh beginning. With a rejuvenated spirit, I tell myself that this will be my most productive year yet. I have all my supplies in order – perfectly organized binders, a variety of colored pens and highlighters, and brand new digital tools for note-taking and study aids.
Week one goes smoothly with plenty of time for both learning and leisure. But as the days go on, old habits surface. My schedules falter as I ignore deadlines and allow small tasks to pile up until they become overwhelming mountains.
As a professional back to school procrastinator, the reasons behind my consistent last-minute scramble are often complicated:
1. External distractions: Social media networks, YouTube videos, and Netflix series run amok in my life. The irony here is genuine; I spend more time catching up on shows than doing actual work.
2. Fear of failure: Perfectionism can be both my greatest strength and weakness. Because I think that every task needs perfection, I often wait until the very last minute to complete the task fearing it may not match up with my expectations.
3. Lack of motivation: Apathy kicks in when none of the subjects intrigue me or when my long-term goal feels too distant.
4. Time mismanagement: Skewed priorities lead me further away from organization no matter how much I long for structure in my daily routine.
Despite these shortcomings, my inner productivity ninja occasionally makes an appearance. I can quickly transform back into a dedicated and organized version of my usual self in response to deadlines and other priorities.
However, it comes at the price of sleepless nights and stress-induced anxiety, reflecting poor habits that should not become a norm in my life. My journey as a back to school procrastinator has helped me identify some coping mechanisms that have helped me improve my situation.
1. Use technology mindfully: Disabled notifications for non-essential apps, website blockers, and productivity apps have trained me to focus more on work than distractions.
2. Break tasks into smaller pieces: Large projects feel more manageable when approached in smaller increments, making them less daunting.
3. Set realistic expectations: Letting go of perfectionism has made it easier for me to start tasks when initially assigned without dreading the prospect of failure.
4. Find passion in the process: Identifying aspects of my studies that genuinely interest me help rekindle lost motivation.
Ever-evolving, I continue to strive for balance in my study habits and extracurricular pursuits. For all the fellow procrastinators out there, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone; with self-awareness, reflection, and consistent effort towards improvement, we can all get better over time.
