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How do I: Battle Procrastination

This guide covers Information, Media, and Digital Literacy concepts and Digital Citizenship for Gr. 9-12 students, as well as teacher and parents.

Battle Procrastination

Dealing with Procrastination

Definition of Procrastination:

"to be slow or late about doing something that should be done: to delay doing something until a later time..."

Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Do you ever feel anxiety or fear about starting an assignment?  Do you feel like you're not quite sure how to start the work, or perhaps do you just think that the assignment is 'boring'?

Be careful, if procrastination sets in you will likely feel more stressed, fearful, de-motivated, and worse about your work or even about yourself.  

What should you do?

(1) Reflect on why you procrastinate - what is the real issue?

(2) Get motivated

(3) Learn time management skills

People procrastinate for different reasons.  Reflect on why you procrastinate so that you can learn the skills that you need to overcome!

 "For the most part our reasons for delaying and avoiding are rooted in fear and anxiety—about doing poorly, of not having control of our outcomes, of looking stupid, of having one’s sense of self or self-concept challenged. We avoid doing work to avoid our abilities being judged."

Source: Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination, McGraw Centre for Teaching & Learning, Princeton University

Did you know that electronic devices, including apps, social media, ipads, etc. are designed to entice and distract you?
Did you know that you cannot multi-task and focus on your homework?

Get Motivated

Source: Asja Boros, licensed under Creative Commons

Ways to Help you Get Motivated:

(1) Set Realistic Goals

(2) Create a Study Plan 

(3) Find What Engages you in your Class

(4) Remain Positive 

(5) Reward yourself

(6) Forgive yourself 

(7) Just get Started!

Sources:

Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination, McGraw Centre for Teaching & Learning, Princeton University

Just do it, American Psychological Association

15 Ways to Beat Procrastination

15 Ways to Beat Procrastination
Courtesy of: http://essay.expert

Consequences of Procrastination

Consider this - procrastination often leads to:

  • higher stress levels and anxiety 
  • lower effort and less time being put towards the required school work
  • lower grades, often due to lack time and effort put towards school work  
  • lower self-esteem 
  • increased fear of failure or feelings of inadequacy 
  • less motivation and negative feelings towards school work
  • frustration towards school and possible negative attitude towards learning

"Students seem to remember the one time that maybe waiting until the last minute did pay off with a good grade, but they forget the other nine times when it didn't."

Source: Procrastination or 'Intentional Delay'?, American Psychological Association 

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