I've written this guide to help break the cycle of procrastination and help anyone improve their focus in schoolwork. This isn't strictly a problem with college students since I know plenty of people who had trouble staying focused during high school. The problems might be different but they end up with the same issue; failing to pass classes because they don't take the material seriously.
Section One: What is Procrastination?
Procrastination is a type of behavior where you put off work, even when you know that there are consequences for not doing it. The worst thing about it is that you're usually rationalizing why you shouldn't be working instead of getting started, so if someone were to criticize your actions, you would have a valid excuse. It's important to note that procrastination isn't necessarily a bad thing and everyone procrastinates at one time or another without always knowing it.
The problem comes when we engage in too much of it and start wasting time on things which aren't as important. In the short term, you might feel good because you're not working on anything which may be difficult or boring. The problem is that you end up doing this so often that your grades slip and your schoolwork becomes a lot harder to finish in time. You can even develop a reputation for having low standards and eventually it will hurt you in all aspects of your life.
Section Two: Procrastination and Impulsiveness
There are many different types of procrastination, but most people who struggle with it share something in common: impulsiveness . If you have trouble resisting impulses, there's a greater chance than normal that you'll also find yourself making excuses as to why you shouldn't be working right now. This is because when things are hard or boring, our brain gives us a rush of dopamine to reward the activity.
A study actually found that if someone performed a task and were given a substance which prevents dopamine from binding in the brain then they spent more time on an unsolvable problem than people who didn't take it. That's just one example of how impulsiveness can cause procrastination. Whenever you're tempted to spend time doing something else, ask yourself why you should be doing the task at hand instead?
Section Three: How to Break Free From Procrastination
One benefit of knowing what causes procrastination is that you can do things in order to reduce its effects. While there's no surefire way to stop yourself from procrastinating, you can follow some simple guidelines to help keep your behavior under control.
TIP: One thing I've learned after years of teaching and writing is that no matter how well you explain things, people will often do the wrong thing anyway. You have to constantly be aware that students (and adults) are more likely than not to procrastinate even when they understand why it's bad for them. Do everything in your power to make sure that you're staying focused on what needs to get done; if someone is causing problems or distracting you, don't hesitate to remove them from your life!
Take Action Now: Don't Waste Time Being Impulsive
The single most important thing which everyone should do to improve their focus is learning how to resist impulses. Everyone ticks differently, so find out what your own trigger is and adjust accordingly. I've found that one of the easiest ways for me to stay focused on a task at hand are music playlists which are intended for studying or focusing.
Expand Your Knowledge: This article has some good tips you can use to help reduce procrastination!