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Overcome Procrastination

Take notes and answer questions here.

Review

In “Create a Weekly Schedule,” you learned how making a schedule can help you organize all the things you need to do. How has having a schedule helped you?

Learn

Throughout your life, there may be dates or times when certain things must be completed, such as schoolwork. If you do not give your schoolwork to your teacher on time, you may receive a low mark or score.

Sometimes it can be difficult to complete schoolwork on time. You may delay starting assignments. Delaying or postponing the completion of things is called procrastination. Procrastination can make it difficult to be successful in school or work.

Read each statement about schoolwork. Decide how often you do the following, and mark “Never,” “Sometimes,” or “Always” depending on which describes you.

	Never	Sometimes	Always
I read the instructions before I begin an assignment so I understand what is expected.
When I get an assignment, I put the due date on a calendar and plan the steps to finish it.
I avoid procrastinating.
If I need help, I ask someone to help me before the assignment is due.

Think about your answers. Do you procrastinate? Sometimes it can be difficult to begin an important task; however, when you finish one, you feel successful and confident. Here are some suggestions from Education for Better Work—For Self-Reliance ([2016], 175) to help you avoid procrastination:

• Some students find it is best to do easier tasks first and then focus on the hard ones. Other students prefer to do the opposite. Figure out which strategy works best for you.

• Set aside a time to do important tasks. Try to stay focused until they are completed.

• Take short, regular breaks to refresh your mind and refocus.

• Reward yourself. If you complete your assignment by a certain time, celebrate your success and hard work. Be proud of yourself for being a diligent student.

Activity

Complete the questions below to help you start an important task that you need to get done on time.

• What is an important task that you did not complete this week or last week?

• You did not complete the task because it is:

  • boring or uninteresting

  • difficult or do not understand

  • overwhelming

  • other:

• What can you do to overcome the things that make it hard to complete this task?

• What is one small thing you can do to help you get started on this important task?

• Who can help you do this task?

• Decide on a time today or this week to complete this task.

Talk with Your Family

Talk with your family about something you need to get done but have procrastinated finishing. Ask them for ideas that will help you avoid procrastination.