Procrastination

By Agne Bolsakova, Mental Health Counselor

Does procrastination sound familiar? 

If it does, you probably know that it can be a big obstacle to timely completion of assignments. Procrastination is an act of avoidance. It results in more stress, more overwhelm, and missed opportunities. To address it, it might be helpful to ask yourself: “What am I avoiding?” 

• Does the task in front of you seem too big and overwhelming? 
• Are you afraid to fail? 
• Are you a perfectionist hesitant to approach the project because you may not meet your own expectations? 

Tips to confront procrastination:

• Start by reframing negative perceptions about the task and/or yourself. 
• Break down larger assignments into smaller chunks and focus on starting the first step. 
• Create a reward system for yourself for completed tasks. 
• When you take a break, set a timer so a 10-minute break does not turn into a 30-minute one. 
• Refrain from surfing the internet or social media during the breaks.

If you are interested in learning more about reducing study stress and improving focus, contact Agne at abolsakova@miracosta.edu for a Zoom link to her upcoming workshop.