Many people have a natural tendency to postpone tasks, thinking they will do it later on. This habit of procrastination has existed and evolved, and there is no doubt that it is now more common than ever, especially among school and college students who rely heavily on their digital devices. This dependence makes it difficult for them to engage in real life and complete their tasks on time. As a result, important tasks are delayed until a later date.
Procrastination can be detrimental to our future. The more we procrastinate, the fewer steps we take toward success. But how do you determine if you are procrastinating?
Most of the time, we don’t even realise we are procrastinating. For instance, in class, you may suddenly realise that you haven’t finished an incomplete essay that you thought you would complete once you got home on the day it was given, but it slipped your mind. Or perhaps you forgot to bring an art supply that was required because you assumed you would buy it later — after watching a show, finishing a chat or playing a video game. As a result, when you push it back in your mental ‘to-do list’, it is also goes away from your mind.
Moreover, there will be times, especially during exams, when you realise that you haven’t completed your lectures or notes, and that you still have unfinished assignments — tasks you intended to do, but never got around to it. These were things you did remember you had to do, but you kept putting it off for random reasons, or basically laziness and irresponsibility.
This leads you to panic and become stressed, making it difficult to complete tasks properly. Eventually, this leads to poor grades. You realise it too late and promise yourself that next time, you will complete your work and study on time. However, you fail to recognise that laziness is the real reason behind your poor performance. Instead, you only see it as a surface-level issue — that you simply didn’t finish your work, which is why you couldn’t pass or achieve good grades. But the real problem still lingers.
Procrastination will not hurt you in the beginning but, ultimately, you’ll get used to it and start putting off important tasks and regret it later.
Let’s now discuss the reasons why procrastination happens. One reason is that people assume they have plenty of time to complete a task, so they delay it for later. Another reason is that the task may seem difficult or overwhelming. Procrastinators tend to avoid working on something that appears confusing or requires significant effort and determination.
Some people struggle to begin a task simply because they don’t know where to start. This initial confusion makes it harder for them to take the first step. Additionally, lack of motivation plays a major role in procrastination. Without motivation, people tend to put off tasks indefinitely.
As a result, procrastinators accumulate a large number of pending tasks. When they attempt to start something new, they are reminded of their unfinished work, which adds to their stress. Instead of completing the new task, they delay it as well, further adding to their backlog.
Procrastination often becomes more prevalent during vacations, particularly for students who suddenly find themselves free from the rigid schedules and deadlines of academic life. Without the structure of school days and the urgency of homework or exams, the motivation to stay productive is no longer there. Tasks that students may have planned to complete — such as reading, preparing for upcoming courses, or pursuing hobbies — often get postponed indefinitely.
The abundance of leisure time creates an illusion that there’s always “plenty of time left,” leading to a cycle of delaying tasks until the vacation is nearly over.
This relaxed environment, while important for rest, can also blur the boundaries between necessary tasks and optional indulgence. With no immediate consequences, students may spend more time scrolling through social media, binge-watching shows, or simply lounging around. As the habit of putting things off solidifies, even small responsibilities begin to feel overwhelming. This leads to last-minute panic as the vacation ends, often resulting in poor-quality work or unfinished tasks.
Understanding this tendency is the first step to managing it — by creating a flexible routine, setting personal goals, and balancing rest with responsibility, students can make their vacations both relaxing and productive.
For those who want to overcome procrastination, here are a few tips to break free from this habit.
Make the most of your leisure time
When you think of a task, take a moment to consider the benefits of completing it. Finishing it on time — or even ahead of schedule — can give you more leisure or free time later. This way, you’ll not only feel relieved, but also gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Additionally, completing tasks early reduces stress and allows you to enjoy your free time without guilt.
Get rid of the fear of failure
Fear of failure can prevent you from finishing tasks, leaving you feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next. It can drain your confidence and make even simple tasks seem overwhelming.
Remember, failure is not the end — it’s a chance to learn and grow. Every mistake teaches you something valuable, helping you improve over time. Instead of saying, “I cannot,” train yourself to say, “I can,” and take small steps toward your goal.
Remind yourself that even the most successful people have failed multiple times before achieving greatness. What matters is persistence and the willingness to learn from mistakes. The sooner you start, the sooner you improve. So, push past your doubts, take that first step and trust yourself — you are capable of more than you think.
Set objectives and a to-do list
Breaking your task or goal into smaller, manageable objectives makes it easier to complete and reduces the overwhelming feeling of tackling a big project all at once. Completing one small objective at a time will keep you motivated and help you stay on track.
One of the best ways to do this is by creating a to-do list and scheduling your time accordingly. When you have a list staring back at you with unfinished tasks, it serves as a reminder and pushes you to take action. Additionally, crossing off completed tasks creates a sense of progress and motivates you to tackle the next one. This momentum helps you stay productive and prevents procrastination.
A to-do list is essential because planning is crucial for success. Organising your tasks not only helps you meet deadlines, but also brings clarity to your priorities. With every task you complete, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, which in turn boosts your confidence and reinforces positive habits.
Get organised
One of the most important steps to overcoming procrastination is changing your attitude toward your tasks. Determine what is important and what is not, then be mentally prepared to start and commit to them. When you become organised in life and have a clear sense of purpose, determination naturally follows, pushing procrastination aside.
If you put off tasks just because you don’t know how to get started, seek help from someone you know has the knowledge and intellectual skills to help you solve it. For example, if you are coming across any difficulty while studying, you can seek help from your teacher or parents.
Be confident and stay motivated
Believing in yourself is the first step to building confidence. Simply telling yourself, “I can do it,” can shift your mindset in a positive direction. Once you put in the effort and complete your task, that belief transforms into “I did it.”
Staying motivated and focused on your goals plays a crucial role in overcoming procrastination.
Be an active learner
An active learner engages in the learning process by taking notes, participating in class discussions, and asking questions with confidence. The more involved you are, the less likely you’ll fall into the trap of procrastination. Engaging in discussions keeps your mind active and helps you stay on top of your tasks.
Take charge of your time
Procrastination can be avoided when you develop effective time management skills — but this requires effort and persistence. Your initial attempts might not go as planned, but don’t let setbacks discourage you.
Instead, identify the root causes of your procrastination and work to eliminate them. Experiment with different schedules until you find one that works best for you.
Stay motivated, dedicated, and disciplined — especially during vacation. With fewer deadlines and more free time, it’s important to make a conscious effort not to fall into the habit of delaying tasks. Use this break wisely by setting small goals and staying engaged in meaningful activities. Replacing procrastination with purposeful action will not only keep you productive during the holidays, but also make it easier to transition back to academic life.
Take control of your time before it starts slipping away unnoticed. Vacations are meant for rest, but that rest shouldn’t come at the cost of your progress. By staying focused and intentional with how you spend your days, you’ll build stronger habits and a more disciplined mindset —both of which are essential for long-term success.
Published in Dawn, Young World, June 28th, 2025