keep procrastinating homework

Solving Procrastination

Homework Procrastination: Why You Procrastinate on Homework and How to Stop

Homework procrastination involves unnecessarily postponing working on homework assignments. For example, if a student delays starting a homework assignment until right before its deadline for no good reason, even though it would have been better for them to start earlier, that student is engaging in homework procrastination.

Homework procrastination can take various forms, from wasting hours trying to bring yourself to start writing an essay, to putting off an important project until the end of the semester. This is a problem not only because it can harm your performance at school, and therefore cause you to receive lower grades , but also because it can cause you to suffer from various other issues , such as frustration, anxiety, and stress .

If you often procrastinate when it comes to doing homework, know that you’re not alone. Procrastination is a common problem among students ; in terms of statistics, studies show that approximately 80%–95% of college students engage in procrastination to some degree, approximately 75% consider themselves to be procrastinators, and approximately 50% say that they procrastinate in a consistent and problematic manner.

Fortunately, however, there are some things that you can do to solve this problem, as you will see in the following article. Specifically, you will first see an explanation about why students procrastinate on their homework, so you can understand your own behavior better. Then, you will see what you can do in order to stop procrastinating on your homework, so you can start getting them done on time.

Why you procrastinate on homework

You procrastinate on homework because issues such as exhaustion and anxiety outweigh your self-control and motivation. These issues include personal factors, like fear and perfectionism, and situational factors, like distractions and unclear instructions.

Specifically, when you need to get homework done, you rely primarily on your self-control in order to get yourself to do it. Furthermore, your self-control is sometimes supported by your motivation, which helps you complete your homework on time.

However, in some cases, you suffer from issues that interfere with or oppose your self-control and motivation, such as exhaustion and anxiety . When these issues are stronger than your self-control and motivation, you end up procrastinating, until you reach a point where the balance between them shifts in your favor, or until it’s too late.

This explains why you might end up procrastinating on your homework even when you have the necessary motivation and you truly wish that you could just get started. This also explains why you might end up procrastinating on your homework until right before deadlines , when the increased motivation, often in the form of stressful pressure, finally pushes you to get to work.

Accordingly, common reasons for procrastinating on homework include the following :

• Abstract goals , in terms of being vague about how and when you intend to do the homework.
• Feeling overwhelmed , often while being unsure of how to complete the homework.
• Perfectionism , in the form of refusing to create work that has any flaws.
• Fear of failure , often because of concerns over how such failure might reflect on you.
• Anxiety , often in light of potential negative feedback.
• Task aversion , especially in cases where you find the homework boring or unpleasant.
• Lack of motivation , often as a result of feeling disconnected from your future self or having rewards that are far in the future.
• Physical or mental exhaustion , often due to a combination of reasons, such as a high academic workload and associated stress .
• Resentment , generally toward the homework, toward its source, or toward something related, such as a parent pushing you to do well in a subject that you’re not interested in.
• Sensation seeking , generally in the form of enjoying working on things right before the deadline, when there’s intense time pressure.
• Problematic work environment , generally as a result of having many distractions or temptations around.
• Lack of sufficient communication from instructors, for example when it comes to not having clear directions and due dates for a certain class project.

In addition, other issues can also make you more likely to procrastinate on your homework. For example:

• Problematic behaviors like self-handicapping , which involves procrastinating so that if you fail you can blame your failure on procrastination rather than your abilities, and self-sabotaging , which involves procrastinating as a result of a tendency to sabotage your progress.
• Personality traits like distractibility and impulsivity .
• Underlying issues like lack of sleep , ADHD , and depression .

Finally, note that some of these issues can lead to problematic procrastination cycles . For example, this can happen if you’re anxious about your homework, so you procrastinate on it, which makes you even more anxious about your homework due to the added negative emotions that you now associate with it (e.g., guilt and shame), which in turn makes you more likely to keep procrastinating on your homework in the future.

Understanding why you procrastinate on your homework can help you learn how to overcome your procrastination. However, while understanding why you procrastinate can be helpful, in many cases you can reduce your procrastination even without figuring this out. As such, if you find that you’re struggling with this step, don’t worry, and don’t get stuck; simply move on to the next step, which involves trying out various anti-procrastination techniques, until you find the ones that work best for you.

How to stop procrastinating on homework

To stop procrastinating on your homework right now , you should identify the smallest possible thing you can do to make progress on it, and then modify your environment to make it as likely as possible that you will do it.

For example, if you need to write a paper for a university course, the smallest possible step that you can take toward finishing it might be opening the relevant document on your computer, and writing just a single opening line, even if it’s poorly phrased initially. Once you realize that this is all you need to do, you can start modifying your work environment to help yourself achieve that, for example by going to a room with no distractions, leaving your phone outside, and turning on airplane mode on your laptop to disable your access to online distractions .

There are many other anti-procrastination techniques that can help you stop procrastinating on your homework. You don’t need to use all of these techniques, since some won’t be relevant in your case, and since you will generally need only a few of them in order to make significant progress toward overcoming your procrastination. As such, try skimming through this list, and finding the techniques that you think will work best for you.

Improve your planning:

• Set concrete goals for yourself. For example, instead of a vague goal, such as “finish my psychology paper over the weekend”, set a concrete goal, such as “start writing an outline for the psychology paper on Thursday at 5 pm in the library, right after I finish the last class for the week”).
• Break your homework into small and manageable steps. For example, if you need to write a research paper, you can start with steps such as “(1) brainstorm three potential topics, (2) figure out which topic I like best, and (3) find five relevant sources”. If the project that you’re dealing with is large and will therefore require a large number of steps, don’t worry about outlining the whole thing from the start; simply identify the first few steps that you need to take, and add new ones as you go along, to avoid feeling overwhelmed or getting stuck.
• Set a series of milestones and deadlines for yourself. This will help you be accountable and plan ahead, and can also motivate you and give you a rewarding feeling of continuous progress.
• Identify your productivity cycles. Different people are more productive at different times, based on factors such as whether it’s morning, noon, or evening. To reduce procrastination, you should take your personal productivity patterns into account, and schedule your homework for times when you’re most likely to be able to actually work on it.

Improve your environment:

• Change your environment to make it easier for you to focus. For example, if you know that you work best when there are no distracting noises, go somewhere quiet, or put on some noise-blocking headphones.
• Change your environment to make it easier for yourself to get started. For example, if you know that you will need to write an essay tomorrow after you wake up, then leave the document open on your computer before you go to bed.
• Change your environment to make it harder for yourself to procrastinate. For example, if you tend to procrastinate by browsing apps on your phone , leave your phone outside the room where you plan to work.

Change your approach:

• Start with a tiny step. For example, if you need to write an essay, help yourself get started by committing to only write a single sentence at first. This can help you push yourself to get started on homework, and often, once you do so, you’ll find it easy to keep going.
• Start with the best or worst part first. Some people find that starting with the most enjoyable or easiest part of an assignment helps them get going, while others find that getting the worst part out of the way first helps them avoid procrastinating over time. Use either approach if you feel that it works for you.
• Add a time delay before you procrastinate. If you can’t avoid procrastinating entirely, try committing to having a time delay before you indulge your impulse to do so. For example, this can involve counting to 10 before you’re allowed to open a new tab on the social media website that you usually use to procrastinate.
• Use the Pomodoro technique. This involves alternating between scheduled periods of work and rest. For example, you can work on your homework for 25-minute long stretches, with 5-minute breaks in between, and a longer 30-minute break after every 4 work sets that you complete.

Increase your motivation:

• Make doing the homework feel more rewarding. For example, you can gamify your work, by marking down streaks of days on which you’ve managed to make sufficient progress on your assignments, and potentially also give yourself some reward once you reach a sufficiently long streak.
• Make doing the homework feel more enjoyable. For example, you can do your homework in a pleasant location, while listening to energizing music.
• Visualize your future self. For example, you can visualize yourself being able to relax after you finish working, visualize yourself being rewarded for getting a good grade in a course, or visualize yourself having to handle the issues associated with not finishing your homework on time.
• Focus on your goals instead of your assignments. Instead of focusing on the fact that you have an aversion to your homework, for whatever reason, try focusing on your end goals for completing the homework, such as getting a good grade in an important class so you can have a better application for grad school.

Change your mindset:

• Give yourself permission to make mistakes, and accept the fact that your work won’t be perfect, especially at first. This can be helpful, for example, when it comes to assignments that involve writing, where you can give yourself permission to write a bad first draft, and then edit it afterward.
• Address your fears. If you’re procrastinating because you’re afraid of something, try to identify your fears and resolve them. For example, if you’re afraid that your writing won’t be good enough, you can say to yourself that your goal is to just start by getting something written down, and that you can always improve it later.
• Develop self-compassion.   Self-compassion can help reduce your procrastination, as well as various issues that are associated with it, such as stress. It consists of three components that you should develop: self-kindness , which involves being nice to yourself, common humanity , which involves recognizing that everyone experiences challenges, and mindfulness , which involves accepting your emotions in a non-judgmental manner.
• Develop self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is the belief in your ability to carry out the actions that you need to achieve your goals, and it can help you reduce your procrastination. To develop self-efficacy, try to identify the various strategies that you can use to finish your homework, and think about your ability to execute those strategies successfully.

When deciding which approach to use in order to overcome your procrastination , keep in mind that anti-procrastination techniques are especially effective when they’re tailored to the specific causes of your procrastination. For example, if you procrastinate because you set abstract goals for yourself, you should focus on setting concrete goals instead. Similarly, if you procrastinate because of available distractions, you should remove those distractions from your study environment, or go work somewhere else instead.

In addition, note that if you suffer from an underlying issue that leads to procrastination, such as lack of sleep , depression , or ADHD , you will likely need to resolve that issue, using professional help if necessary, if you want to successfully overcome your procrastination.

Finally, keep in mind that most people need more than one technique in order to overcome their procrastination , and that different techniques work better for different people in different circumstances. Accordingly, don’t expect a single technique to solve all your problems, and don’t feel that if some technique works well for others then it will necessarily also work well for you. Instead, try out the various techniques that are available to you, until you figure out which ones work best for you, in your particular situation.

Daniel Wong

Equipping Students to Be Successful and Happy

30 Tips to Stop Procrastinating and Find Motivation to Do Homework

Updated on June 6, 2023 By Daniel Wong 44 Comments

To stop procrastinating on homework, you need to find motivation to do the homework in the first place.

But first, you have to overcome feeling too overwhelmed to even start.

You know what it feels like when everything hits you at once, right?

You have three tests to study for and a math assignment due tomorrow.

And you’ve got a history report due the day after.

You tell yourself to get down to work. But with so much to do, you feel overwhelmed.

So you procrastinate.

You check your social media feed, watch a few videos, and get yourself a drink. But you know that none of this is bringing you closer to getting the work done.

Does this sound familiar?

Don’t worry – you are not alone. Procrastination is a problem that everyone faces, but there are ways around it.

By following the tips in this article, you’ll be able to overcome procrastination and consistently find the motivation to do the homework .

So read on to discover 30 powerful tips to help you stop procrastinating on your homework.

Enter your email below to download a PDF summary of this article. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus  3 exclusive bonus tips that you’ll only find in the PDF.

How to stop procrastinating and motivate yourself to do your homework.

Procrastination when it comes to homework isn’t just an issue of laziness or a lack of motivation .

The following tips will help you to first address the root cause of your procrastination and then implement strategies to keep your motivation levels high.

1. Take a quiz to see how much you procrastinate.

The first step to changing your behavior is to become more self-aware.

How often do you procrastinate? What kinds of tasks do you tend to put off? Is procrastination a small or big problem for you?

To answer these questions, I suggest that you take this online quiz designed by Psychology Today .

2. Figure out why you’re procrastinating.

Procrastination is a complex issue that involves multiple factors.

Stop thinking of excuses for not doing your homework , and figure out what’s keeping you from getting started.

Are you procrastinating because:

• You’re not sure you’ll be able to solve all the homework problems?
• You’re subconsciously rebelling against your teachers or parents?
• You’re not interested in the subject or topic?
• You’re physically or mentally tired?
• You’re waiting for the perfect time to start?
• You don’t know where to start?

Once you’ve identified exactly why you’re procrastinating, you can pick out the tips in this article that will get to the root of the problem.

3. Write down what you’re procrastinating on.

Students tend to procrastinate when they’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

But you might be surprised to discover that simply by writing down the specific tasks you’re putting off, the situation will feel more manageable.

It’s a quick solution, and it makes a real difference.

Give it a try and you’ll be less likely to procrastinate.

4. Put your homework on your desk.

Here’s an even simpler idea.

Many times, the hardest part of getting your homework done is getting started.

It doesn’t require a lot of willpower to take out your homework and put it on your desk.

But once it’s sitting there in front of you, you’ll be much closer to actually getting down to work.

5. Break down the task into smaller steps.

This one trick will make any task seem more manageable.

For example, if you have a history report to write, you could break it down into the following steps:

• Read the history textbook
• Do online research
• Organize the information
• Create an outline
• Write the introduction
• Write the body paragraphs
• Write the conclusion
• Edit and proofread the report

Focus on just one step at a time. This way, you won’t need to motivate yourself to write the whole report at one go.

This is an important technique to use if you want to study smart and get more done .

6. Create a detailed timeline with specific deadlines.

As a follow-up to Point #5, you can further combat procrastination by creating a timeline with specific deadlines.

Using the same example above, I’ve added deadlines to each of the steps:

• Jan 30 th : Read the history textbook
• Feb 2 nd : Do online research
• Feb 3 rd : Organize the information
• Feb 5 th : Create an outline
• Feb 8 th : Write the introduction
• Feb 12 th : Write the body paragraphs
• Feb 14 th : Write the conclusion
• Feb 16 th : Edit and proofread the report

Assigning specific dates creates a sense of urgency, which makes it more likely that you’ll keep to the deadlines.

7. Spend time with people who are focused and hardworking.

Jim Rohn famously said that you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

If you hang out with people who are motivated and hardworking, you’ll become more like them.

Likewise, if you hang out with people who continually procrastinate, you’ll become more like them too.

Motivation to do homework naturally increases when you surround yourself with the right people.

So choose your friends wisely. Find homework buddies who will influence you positively to become a straight-A student who leads a balanced life.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun! It just means that you and your friends know when it’s time to get down to work and when it’s time to enjoy yourselves.

8. Tell at least two or three people about the tasks you plan to complete.

When you tell others about the tasks you intend to finish, you’ll be more likely to follow through with your plans.

This is called “accountability,” and it kicks in because you want to be seen as someone who keeps your word.

So if you know about this principle, why not use it to your advantage?

You could even ask a friend to be your accountability buddy. At the beginning of each day, you could text each other what you plan to work on that day.

Then at the end of the day, you could check in with each other to see if things went according to plan.

9. Change your environment .

Maybe it’s your environment that’s making you feel sluggish.

When you’re doing your homework, is your super-comfortable bed just two steps away? Or is your distracting computer within easy reach?

If your environment is part of your procrastination problem, then change it.

Sometimes all you need is a simple change of scenery. Bring your work to the dining room table and get it done there. Or head to a nearby café to complete your report.

10. Talk to people who have overcome their procrastination problem.

If you have friends who consistently win the battle with procrastination, learn from their experience.

What was the turning point for them? What tips and strategies do they use? What keeps them motivated?

Find all this out, and then apply the information to your own situation.

11. Decide on a reward to give yourself after you complete your task.

“Planned” rewards are a great way to motivate yourself to do your homework.

The reward doesn’t have to be something huge.

For instance, you might decide that after you finish 10 questions of your math homework, you get to watch your favorite TV show.

Or you might decide that after reading one chapter of your history textbook, you get to spend 10 minutes on Facebook.

By giving yourself a reward, you’ll feel more motivated to get through the task at hand.

12. Decide on a consequence you’ll impose on yourself if you don’t meet the deadline.

It’s important that you decide on what the consequence will be before you start working toward your goal.

As an example, you could tell your younger brother that you’ll give him $1 for every deadline you don’t meet (see Point #6).

Or you could decide that you’ll delete one game from your phone for every late homework submission.

Those consequences would probably be painful enough to help you get down to work, right?

13. Visualize success.

Take 30 seconds and imagine how you’ll feel when you finish your work.

What positive emotions will you experience?

Will you feel a sense of satisfaction from getting all your work done?

Will you relish the extra time on your hands when you get your homework done fast and ahead of time?

This simple exercise of visualizing success may be enough to inspire you to start doing your assignment.

14. Visualize the process it will take to achieve that success.

Even more important than visualizing the outcome is visualizing the process it will take to achieve that outcome.

Research shows that focusing on the process is critical to success. If you’re procrastinating on a task, take a few moments to think about what you’ll need to do to complete it.

Visualize the following:

• What resources you’ll need
• Who you can turn to for help
• How long the task will take
• Where you’ll work on the task
• The joy you’ll experience as you make progress

This kind of visualization is like practice for your mind.

Once you understand what’s necessary to achieve your goal, you’ll find that it’s much easier to get down to work with real focus. This is key to doing well in school .

15. Write down why you want to complete the task.

You’ll be more motivated when you’re clear about why you want to accomplish something.

To motivate yourself to do your homework, think about all the ways in which it’s a meaningful task.

So take a couple of minutes to write down the reasons. Here are some possible ones:

• Learn useful information
• Master the topic
• Enjoy a sense of accomplishment when you’ve completed the task
• Become a more focused student
• Learn to embrace challenges
• Fulfill your responsibility as a student
• Get a good grade on the assignment

16. Write down the negative feelings you’ll have if you don’t complete the task.

If you don’t complete the assignment, you might feel disappointed or discouraged. You might even feel as if you’ve let your parents or your teacher – or even yourself – down.

It isn’t wise to dwell on these negative emotions for too long. But by imagining how you’ll feel if you don’t finish the task, you’ll realize how important it is that you get to work.

17. Do the hardest task first.

Most students will choose to do the easiest task first, rather than the hardest one. But this approach isn’t effective because it leaves the worst for last.

It’s more difficult to find motivation to do homework in less enjoyable subjects.

As Brian Tracy says , “Eat that frog!” By this, he means that you should always get your most difficult task out of the way at the beginning of the day.

If math is your least favorite subject, force yourself to complete your math homework first.

After doing so, you’ll feel a surge of motivation from knowing it’s finished. And you won’t procrastinate on your other homework because it will seem easier in comparison.

(On a separate note, check out these tips on how to get better at math if you’re struggling.)

18. Set a timer when doing your homework.

I recommend that you use a stopwatch for every homework session. (If you prefer, you could also use this online stopwatch or the Tomato Timer .)

Start the timer at the beginning of the session, and work in 30- to 45-minute blocks.

Using a timer creates a sense of urgency, which will help you fight off your urge to procrastinate.

When you know you only have to work for a short session, it will be easier to find motivation to complete your homework.

Tell yourself that you need to work hard until the timer goes off, and then you can take a break. (And then be sure to take that break!)

19. Eliminate distractions.

Here are some suggestions on how you can do this:

• Delete all the games and social media apps on your phone
• Turn off all notifications on your phone
• Mute your group chats
• Archive your inactive chats
• Turn off your phone, or put it on airplane mode
• Put your phone at least 10 feet away from you
• Turn off the Internet access on your computer
• Use an app like Freedom to restrict your Internet usage
• Put any other distractions (like food, magazines and books unrelated to your homework) at the other end of the room
• Unplug the TV
• Use earplugs if your surroundings are noisy

20. At the start of each day, write down the two to three Most Important Tasks (MITs) you want to accomplish.

This will enable you to prioritize your tasks. As Josh Kaufman explains , a Most Important Task (MIT) is a critical task that will help you to get significant results down the road.

Not all tasks are equally important. That’s why it’s vital that you identify your MITs, so that you can complete those as early in the day as possible.

What do you most need to get done today? That’s an MIT.

Get to work on it, then feel the satisfaction that comes from knowing it’s out of the way.

21. Focus on progress instead of perfection.

Perfectionism can destroy your motivation to do homework and keep you from starting important assignments.

Some students procrastinate because they’re waiting for the perfect time to start.

Others do so because they want to get their homework done perfectly. But they know this isn’t really possible – so they put off even getting started.

What’s the solution?

To focus on progress instead of perfection.

There’s never a perfect time for anything. Nor will you ever be able to complete your homework perfectly. But you can do your best, and that’s enough.

So concentrate on learning and improving, and turn this into a habit that you implement whenever you study .

22. Get organized.

Procrastination is common among students who are disorganized.

When you can’t remember which assignment is due when or which tests you have coming up, you’ll naturally feel confused. You’ll experience school- and test-related stress .

This, in turn, will lead to procrastination.

That’s why it’s crucial that you get organized. Here are some tips for doing this:

• Don’t rely on your memory ; write everything down
• Keep a to-do list
• Use a student planner
• Use a calendar and take note of important dates like exams, project due dates, school holidays , birthdays, and family events
• At the end of each day, plan for the following day
• Use one binder or folder for each subject or course
• Do weekly filing of your loose papers, notes, and old homework
• Throw away all the papers and notes you no longer need

23. Stop saying “I have to” and start saying “I choose to.”

When you say things like “I have to write my essay” or “I have to finish my science assignment,” you’ll probably feel annoyed. You might be tempted to complain about your teachers or your school .

What’s the alternative?

To use the phrase “I choose to.”

The truth is, you don’t “have” to do anything.

You can choose not to write your essay; you’ll just run the risk of failing the class.

You can choose not to do your science assignment; you’ll just need to deal with your angry teacher.

When you say “I choose to do my homework,” you’ll feel empowered. This means you’ll be more motivated to study and to do what you ought to.

24. Clear your desk once a week.

Clutter can be demotivating. It also causes stress , which is often at the root of procrastination.

Hard to believe? Give it a try and see for yourself.

By clearing your desk, you’ll reduce stress and make your workspace more organized.

So set a recurring appointment to organize your workspace once a week for just 10 minutes. You’ll receive huge benefits in the long run!

25. If a task takes two minutes or less to complete, do it now.

This is a principle from David Allen’s bestselling book, Getting Things Done .

You may notice that you tend to procrastinate when many tasks pile up. The way to prevent this from happening is to take care of the small but important tasks as soon as you have time.

Here are some examples of small two-minute tasks that you should do once you have a chance:

• Replying to your project group member’s email
• Picking up anything on the floor that doesn’t belong there
• Asking your parents to sign a consent form
• Filing a graded assignment
• Making a quick phone call
• Writing a checklist
• Sending a text to schedule a meeting
• Making an online purchase that doesn’t require further research

26. Finish one task before starting on the next.

You aren’t being productive when you switch between working on your literature essay, social studies report, and physics problem set – while also intermittently checking your phone.

Research shows that multitasking is less effective than doing one thing at a time. Multitasking may even damage your brain !

When it comes to overcoming procrastination, it’s better to stick with one task all the way through before starting on the next one.

You’ll get a sense of accomplishment when you finish the first assignment, which will give you a boost of inspiration as you move on to the next one.

27. Build your focus gradually.

You can’t win the battle against procrastination overnight; it takes time. This means that you need to build your focus progressively.

If you can only focus for 10 minutes at once, that’s fine. Start with three sessions of 10 minutes a day. After a week, increase it to three sessions of 15 minutes a day, and so on.

As the weeks go by, you’ll become far more focused than when you first started. And you’ll soon see how great that makes you feel.

28. Before you start work, write down three things you’re thankful for.

Gratitude improves your psychological health and increases your mental strength .

These factors are linked to motivation. The more you practice gratitude, the easier it will be to find motivation to do your homework. As such, it’s less likely that you’ll be a serial procrastinator.

Before you get down to work for the day, write down three things you’re thankful for. These could be simple things like good health, fine weather, or a loving family.

You could even do this in a “gratitude journal,” which you can then look back on whenever you need a shot of fresh appreciation for the good things in your life.

Either way, this short exercise will get you in the right mindset to be productive.

29. Get enough sleep.

For most people, this means getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. And teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night to function optimally.

What does sleep have to do with procrastination?

More than you might realize.

It’s almost impossible to feel motivated when you’re tired. And when you’re low on energy, your willpower is depleted too.

That’s why you give in to the temptation of Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube videos more easily when you’re sleep-deprived.

Here are ways to get more sleep , and sleep better too:

• Create a bedtime routine
• Go to sleep at around the same time every night
• Set a daily alarm as a reminder to go to bed
• Exercise regularly (but not within a few hours of bedtime)
• Make your bedroom as dark as possible
• Remove or switch off all electronic devices before bedtime
• Avoid caffeine at least six hours before bedtime
• Use an eye mask and earplugs

30. Schedule appointments with yourself to complete your homework.

These appointments are specific blocks of time reserved for working on a report, assignment, or project. Scheduling appointments is effective because it makes the task more “official,” so you’re more likely to keep the appointment.

For example, you could schedule appointments such as:

• Jan 25 th , 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Math assignment
• Jan 27 th , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Online research for social studies project
• Jan 28 th , 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Write introduction for English essay

Transform homework procrastination into homework motivation

Procrastination is a problem we all face.

But given that you’ve read all the way to here, I know you’re committed to overcoming this problem.

And now that you’re armed with these tips, you have all the tools you need to become more disciplined and focused .

By the way, please don’t feel as if you need to implement all the tips at once, because that would be too overwhelming.

Instead, I recommend that you focus on just a couple of tips a week, and make gradual progress. No rush!

Over time, you’ll realize that your habit of procrastination has been replaced by the habit of getting things done.

Now’s the time to get started on that process of transformation. 🙂

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Images: Student and books , Homework , Group of students , Consequences , Why , Writing a list , Organized desk , Gratitude

January 19, 2016 at 11:53 am

Ur tips are rlly helpful. Thnkyou ! 🙂

January 19, 2016 at 1:43 pm

You’re welcome 🙂

August 29, 2018 at 11:21 am

Thanks very much

February 19, 2019 at 1:38 pm

The funny thing is while I was reading the first few steps of this article I was procrastinating on my homework….

November 12, 2019 at 12:44 pm

same here! but now I actually want to get my stuff done… huh

December 4, 2022 at 11:35 pm

May 30, 2023 at 6:26 am

October 25, 2023 at 11:35 am

fr tho i totally was but now I’m actually going to get started haha

June 6, 2020 at 6:04 am

I love your articles

January 21, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Thanks soo much. It’s almost like you could read my mind- when I felt so overwhelmed with the workload heap I had created for myself by procrastination, I know feel very motivated to tackle it out completely and replace that bad habit with the wonderful tips mentioned here! 🙂

January 21, 2016 at 8:04 pm

I’m glad to help 🙂

January 25, 2016 at 3:09 pm

You have shared great tips here. I especially like the point “Write down why you want to complete the task” because it is helpful to make us more motivated when we are clear about our goals

January 25, 2016 at 4:51 pm

Glad that you found the tips useful, John!

January 29, 2016 at 1:22 am

Thank you very much for your wonderful tips!!! ☺☺☺

January 29, 2016 at 10:41 am

It’s my joy to help, Kabir 🙂

February 3, 2016 at 12:57 pm

Always love your articles. Keep them up 🙂

February 3, 2016 at 1:21 pm

Thanks, Matthew 🙂

February 4, 2016 at 1:40 pm

There are quite a lot of things that you need to do in order to come out with flying colors while studying in a university away from your homeland. Procrastinating on homework is one of the major mistakes committed by students and these tips will help you to avoid them all and make yourself more efficient during your student life.

February 4, 2016 at 1:58 pm

Completely agreed, Leong Siew.

October 5, 2018 at 12:52 am

Wow! thank you very much, I love it .

November 2, 2018 at 10:45 am

You are helping me a lot.. thank you very much….😊

November 6, 2018 at 5:19 pm

I’m procrastinating by reading this

November 29, 2018 at 10:21 am

January 8, 2021 at 3:38 am

March 3, 2019 at 9:12 am

Daniel, your amazing information and advice, has been very useful! Please keep up your excellent work!

April 12, 2019 at 11:12 am

We should stop procrastinating.

September 28, 2019 at 5:19 pm

Thank you so much for the tips:) i’ve been procrastinating since i started high schools and my grades were really bad “F” but the tips have made me a straight A student again.

January 23, 2020 at 7:43 pm

Thanks for the tips, Daniel! They’re really useful! 😁

April 10, 2020 at 2:15 pm

I have always stood first in my class. But procrastination has always been a very bad habit of mine which is why I lost marks for late submission .As an excuse for finding motivation for studying I would spend hours on the phone and I would eventually procrastinate. So I tried your tips and tricks today and they really worked.i am so glad and thankful for your help. 🇮🇳Love from India🇮🇳

April 15, 2020 at 11:16 am

Well I’m gonna give this a shot it looks and sounds very helpful thank you guys I really needed this

April 16, 2020 at 9:48 pm

Daniel, your amazing information and advice, has been very useful! keep up your excellent work! May you give more useful content to us.

May 6, 2020 at 5:03 pm

nice article thanks for your sharing.

May 20, 2020 at 4:49 am

Thank you so much this helped me so much but I was wondering about like what if you just like being lazy and stuff and don’t feel like doing anything and you don’t want to tell anyone because you might annoy them and you just don’t want to add your problems and put another burden on theirs

July 12, 2020 at 1:55 am

I’ve read many short procrastination tip articles and always thought they were stupid or overlooking the actual problem. ‘do this and this’ or that and that, and I sit there thinking I CAN’T. This article had some nice original tips that I actually followed and really did make me feel a bit better. Cheers, diving into what will probably be a 3 hour case study.

August 22, 2020 at 10:14 pm

Nicely explain each tips and those are practical thanks for sharing. Dr.Achyut More

November 11, 2020 at 12:34 pm

Thanks a lot! It was very helpful!

November 15, 2020 at 9:11 am

I keep catching myself procrastinating today. I started reading this yesterday, but then I realized I was procrastinating, so I stopped to finish it today. Thank you for all the great tips.

November 30, 2020 at 5:15 pm

Woow this is so great. Thanks so much Daniel

December 3, 2020 at 3:13 am

These tips were very helpful!

December 18, 2020 at 11:54 am

Procrastination is a major problem of mine, and this, this is very helpful. It is very motivational, now I think I can complete my work.

December 28, 2020 at 2:44 pm

Daniel Wong: When you’re doing your homework, is your super-comfortable bed just two steps away? Me: Nope, my super-comfortable bed is one step away. (But I seriously can’t study anywhere else. If I go to the dining table, my mum would be right in front of me talking loudly on the phone with colleagues and other rooms is an absolute no. My mum doesn’t allow me to go outside. Please give me some suggestions. )

September 19, 2022 at 12:14 pm

I would try and find some noise cancelling headphones to play some classical music or get some earbuds to ignore you mum lol

March 1, 2021 at 5:46 pm

Thank you very much. I highly appreciate it.

May 12, 2023 at 3:38 am

This is great advice. My little niece is now six years old and I like to use those nice cheap child friendly workbooks with her. This is done in order to help her to learn things completely on her own. I however prefer to test her on her own knowledge however. After a rather quick demonstration in the lesson I then tend to give her two simple questions to start off with. And it works a treat. Seriously. I love it. She loves it. The exam questions are for her to answer on her own on a notepad. If she can, she will receive a gold medal and a box of sweets. If not she only gets a plastic toy. We do this all the time to help her understand. Once a week we spend up to thirty minutes in a math lesson on this technique for recalling the basic facts. I have had a lot of great success with this new age technique. So I’m going to carry on with it for now.

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14 Simple & Effective Ways to Stop Procrastinating

Last Updated: December 4, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Sharon Lee and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Sharon Lee is a Success Strategist and the Owner of Fearless Pursuits. With over seven years of experience, she specializes in helping others gain clarity on their goals, build confidence, and remain accountable towards their goals. Sharon offers advice to others through life coaching, career coaching, and small business coaching. Sharon holds a Strategic Intervention Coach Certification from Robbins-Madanes Training and has additional training from Erickson Coaching International. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,012,851 times.

Do you have a hard time staying on task? Do you constantly leave things on your to-do list till the last minute? If so, you’re likely procrastinating. Procrastination can stem from stress, frustration, or perfectionism. No matter why you may be procrastinating, there are many ways to break the habit and get back on task. Check out this list of the best tips and tricks to overcome procrastination and stay motivated.

Write a to-do list to set goals.

• Write this list on paper or in your phone—do whatever’s best for you!

Tackle your most important task for 15 minutes.

• If 15 minutes still sounds too intimidating, start with 3 or 5 minutes to warm yourself up.
• Once the timer goes off, take a 2-minute break. Then, start up on another set of 15 minutes of work.

Break tasks down into small chunks.

• For example, instead of thinking, “I need to finish this essay before 10 PM tonight,” tell yourself, “I’m going to make a short outline, fill that in, and then look for quotes.”
• Consider trying a specific technique like Pomodoro, in which you work from 25-minute chunks and take 5-minute breaks in between. [6] X Research source
• Avoid making a long, disorganized to-do list. This is just setting yourself up for failure. Instead, create subcategories like "Home," "Work," "Family," and "Fun" and try to cross off a few entries from each list every day.
• Similarly, avoid multitasking or working on more than 1 task at once, as this could make you feel overwhelmed or stressed.

Start your day with the hardest tasks.

• Keep in mind that this strategy isn’t for everyone, so stick to tackling your most difficult tasks whenever you feel the most motivated.
• For instance, if you're a morning person, do your toughest work right after you wake up. On the other hand, if you tend to be groggy in the morning, you risk making careless errors or frustration by going headfirst into a difficult task.

Prioritize goals with set deadlines.

• Use a planner to help schedule your time and stay motivated.

Pick a workspace that works for you.

• For some, being in a new environment helps motivate them to work. Try bringing your work or task to a local library, coffee shop, or bookstore to feel inspired.

Use apps to prevent online distractions.

• AppDetox uses blockage rules that only let you use selected apps for a set amount of time.
• Procraster prompts you to identify the source of your procrastination and gives you advice.
• Forest grows trees for however long you stay focused.
• Freedom blocks distractions on all your devices at once.
• Self-Control blocks a list of websites for set amounts of time.
• Cold Turkey Blocker schedules system-wide blocking.

Put your phone in a different room.

• If you need to keep your phone on for family or work-related reasons, turn off all your notifications except for texts and/or calls.

Listen to music without lyrics.

Promise yourself a reward.

• Try rewarding yourself with a meal at your favorite restaurant, seeing a movie with a friend, or buying yourself something you’ve always wanted.
• Be careful not to over-reward yourself. Stick with small end-of-the-day rewards, and save big celebrations for when you accomplish something tremendous.

Give yourself a pep talk for motivation.

• Self-talk by saying something like, “Dariel, I know this week has been hard, and you’re tired. You’ve written a million essays before, and you’ll rock this.” [16] X Research source
• You can also ask yourself questions: “Amari, why are you nervous about this? You know you can handle it.”
• Self-talk out loud if you can. It’ll also work in your head if you’re in a public place.

Stop punishing yourself for procrastinating.

Aim for completion over perfection.

Ask someone to hold you accountable.

• Try planning fun outings with each other to reward yourself for meeting your goals.
• Hold accountability meetings each week or month to catch each other up on whether or not you’re meeting your goals and deadlines.

Expert Q&A

Video . By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

• If you’re suffering from anxiety or depression associated with your procrastination, talk to your doctor or therapist. It’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to go through this alone. [19] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Sharon Lee. Success Strategist. Expert Interview. 2 December 2021.
• ↑ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/why-wait-the-science-behind-procrastination#.WVK-49Pytok
• ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/27/why-you-cant-help-read-this-article-about-procrastination-instead-of-doing-your-job/?utm_term=.b97d4925d499
• ↑ https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique
• ↑ https://blog.innerdrive.co.uk/5-reasons-to-do-that-hard-task-early
• ↑ https://asana.com/resources/eisenhower-matrix
• ↑ http://www.pcworld.com/article/2094846/read-this-now-7-clever-mobile-apps-to-conquer-procrastination.html
• ↑ https://zapier.com/blog/stay-focused-avoid-distractions/
• ↑ https://www.boisestate.edu/coen-mbe/2021/04/20/5-ways-to-stop-procrastinating/
• ↑ https://www.nu.edu/blog/can-music-help-you-study-and-focus/
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2013/03/25/why-you-procrastinate-and-how-to-stop-it-now/#534f88081837
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201505/the-voice-reason
• ↑ https://www.npr.org/2021/01/11/955692434/procrastination-is-more-than-putting-things-off-heres-how-to-kick-the-habit
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/procrastination/

About This Article

To stop procrastinating, turn off your phone and play white noise or music without lyrics to help you focus. Break your task into small chunks that you can tackle one by one and work hard for 15-minute intervals, giving yourself short breaks in between to help you stay on task. Aim to finish the task, not make it perfect—you can always fix it when you’re done. Give yourself a quick pep talk to get you going and promise yourself a reward, like a sweet treat or funny video, when you’re all done. If you want to learn how to make a distraction-free space where you can focus on work, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework: 9 Helpful Tips

Published on: 09/21/2022

By Scott Winstead

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Are you looking for clear, actionable advice on how to stop procrastinating on homework?

Does it feel like no matter how good your intentions are, you just can’t seem to make yourself sit down and do your work?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Procrastination is a common problem that affects students of all ages.

Finding the motivation to study and do your work can be tough, especially when there are other things that you’d rather be doing.

The good news is that there are things that you can do to make it easier to get started on your homework and avoid procrastination.

In this article, we’ll share with you some of the best tips on how to stop procrastinating on homework so you can get your work done and move on with your day.

1. Make a plan

The first step to avoiding homework procrastination is to make a plan. Having a plan gives you something to stick to and helps you stay on track.

Start by knowing what work you need to do and when it’s due. Then, break down the work into smaller tasks that you can complete.

For example, if you have a paper to write, your plan might look something like this:

• Choose a topic
• Do research
• Write a rough draft
• Edit and revise
• Print and submit

Making a plan will help you see the big picture and understand what needs to be done. It can also make the work feel less daunting because you’re not looking at it all at once.

2. Figure out why you’re procrastinating

While it’s easy to call a procrastinator lazy, the reality is there are usually several underlying reasons for why someone is putting off their work.

It could be that the task feels too difficult, or maybe you’re just not interested in the subject matter.

Maybe you’re worried about not doing the assignment well, or you’re procrastinating because you don’t want to deal with the consequences of not doing it right.

Whatever the reason, it’s important to figure out why you’re procrastinating so you can find a way to overcome it.

If the task feels too difficult, for instance, you might try breaking it down into smaller steps or getting help from a tutor or classmate.

And if you’re worried about not doing the assignment perfectly, remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that the goal is to learn from them, not to be perfect.

3. Set a timer for working and taking breaks

One of the best ways to stop procrastinating is to set a time limit for yourself.

Tell yourself that you’re going to work on the task for 20 minutes, and then take a 5-minute break after.

After 4 or 5 of these cycles, you should have made significant progress on the task and you can take a longer break.

The key is to not allow yourself to get too bogged down or overwhelmed by the work.

By setting a time limit, you’re giving yourself permission to take breaks and not feel guilty about it.

4. Find a study buddy who’s focused

You’ve probably heard it said that you are who you spend the most time with.

This is especially true when it comes to your studies.

If you’re constantly around people who are unfocused and uninterested in their work, it’s going to be that much harder for you to stay on track.

On the other hand, if you surround yourself with people who are motivated and focused, you’re more likely to be motivated and focused as well.

One way to do this is by finding a study buddy who shares your goals and is willing to help you stay on track.

Working with someone who’s doing well in school can help you stay focused and motivated, and it’s also a great way to get help when you’re struggling with a concept.

5. Find the right environment for doing your homework

It’s very possible that the reason you keep procrastinating on your homework is because you’re trying to do it in an environment that’s not conducive to learning.

For some people, that means trying to do their work in a noisy or crowded place. Others might find it difficult to focus at home because there are too many distractions.

Everyone has different needs when it comes to finding the right environment for doing their homework.

Some people need complete silence, while others prefer to have some background noise.

Some people like to work in a library or coffee shop, while others prefer to be at home.

The important thing is to find an environment that works for you and stick to it.

6. Get rid of distractions

Another reason you might be procrastinating on your homework is because there are too many distractions around you.

This could be anything from your phone to the TV to social media.

If you’re trying to do your homework but you keep getting distracted, it’s important to get rid of those distractions.

Figure out exactly what it is that keeps distracting you and find a way to eliminate it.

For some people, that means putting their phone in another room while they work.

For others, it might mean working in a library instead of at home.

Whatever it is, getting rid of distractions will help you stay focused and get your homework done.

7. Let others know about your homework schedule

By letting others know when you’ll be doing your homework, you accomplish a couple of things.

First, you’re less likely to procrastinate because you don’t want to let others down, and you’ll have some people who can help hold you accountable.

Second, letting others know about your homework schedule can help ensure that no one interrupts you while you’re working.

8. Set reasonable goals

Another reason you might procrastinate on your homework is that your goals are too lofty or unrealistic.

If you’re constantly trying to achieve perfection, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration.

Instead, try to set reasonable goals for yourself.

Focus on understanding the material and doing your best, rather than getting a perfect score.

Or make your goal to do a specific amount of work each day, rather than to finish all of your homework for the week in one sitting. Check out our guide to setting SMART goals for students to get a better idea of how to set achievable goals.

9. Take breaks

If you’re finding it difficult to focus on your homework, it might help to take a break. While that might sound counterintuitive, taking breaks can actually be helpful for your concentration.

If you’ve been working on a project for a while and you’re starting to feel overwhelmed or frustrated, take a 5-10 minute break to clear your head.

Get up and walk around, have a snack, or just step away from your work to give yourself a mental break.

You’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your work with a clear head.

A Final Word on How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework

At one time or another, we’ve all been guilty of procrastinating on our homework.

But if you find that you’re habitually putting off your work, it’s important to find a way to stop. Otherwise, you’ll just end up falling behind and feeling stressed out.

By following the tips above, you can develop better habits and break the cycle of procrastination so you can be more productive at school .

Have any questions about how to stop procrastinating on homework? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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What Is Procrastination?

Putting off tasks we don't enjoy is common, despite the consequences

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Why Do You Procrastinate?

Types of procrastination.

• The Negative Impact
• Strategies to Stop

Procrastination is the act of delaying or putting off tasks until the last minute, or past their deadline. Some researchers define procrastination as a "form of self-regulation failure characterized by the irrational delay of tasks despite potentially negative consequences."

According to Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago and author of "Still Procrastinating: The No Regret Guide to Getting It Done," around 20% of U.S. adults are chronic procrastinators.

No matter how well-organized and committed you are, chances are that you have found yourself frittering away hours on trivial pursuits (watching TV, updating your Facebook status, shopping online) when you should have been spending that time on work or school-related projects.

Whether you're putting off finishing a project for work, avoiding homework assignments, or ignoring household chores, procrastination can have a major impact on your job, your grades, and your life.

In most cases, procrastination is not a sign of a serious problem. It's a common tendency that most people give in to at some point or another.

Remember that time that you thought you had a week left to finish a project that was really due the next day? How about the time you decided not to clean up your apartment because you "didn't feel like doing it right now?"

We often assume that projects won't take as long to finish as they really will, which can lead to a false sense of security when we believe that we still have plenty of time to complete these tasks.

One of the biggest factors contributing to procrastination is the notion that we have to feel inspired or motivated to work on a task at a particular moment.

The reality is that if you wait until you're in the right frame of mind to do certain tasks (especially undesirable ones), you will probably find that the right time simply never comes along and the task never gets completed.

The following are a few other factors that cause procrastination.

Researchers suggest that procrastination can be particularly pronounced among students. A 2007 meta analysis published in the Psychological Bulletin found that a whopping 80% to 95% of college students procrastinated on a regular basis, particularly when it came to completing assignments and coursework.  

According to researchers, there are some major cognitive distortions that lead to academic procrastination.   Students tend to:

• Overestimate how much time they have left to perform tasks
• Overestimate how motivated they will be in the future
• Underestimate how long certain activities will take to complete
• Mistakenly assume that they need to be in the right frame of mind to work on a project

Present Bias

The present bias is a phenomenon observed in human behavior that may result in procrastination. The present bias means that we tend to be motivated more by immediate gratification or rewards than we are by long-term rewards. This is why it feels good in the moment to procrastinate.

For example, the immediate reward of staying in bed and watching TV is more appealing than the long-term reward of publishing a blog post, which would take much longer to accomplish.

Procrastination can also be a result of depression . Feelings of hopelessness , helplessness, and a lack of energy can make it difficult to start (and finish) the simplest task. Depression can also lead to self-doubt . When you can't figure out how to tackle a project or feel insecure about your abilities, you might find it easier to put it off.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Procrastination is also pretty common in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder . One reason is that OCD is often linked with maladaptive perfectionism, which causes fears about making new mistakes, doubts about whether you are doing something correctly, and worry over others' expectations of you.

People with OCD also often have a propensity toward indecision, causing them to procrastinate rather than make a decision.

Many adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with procrastination. When you're so distracted by outside stimuli, as well as internal thoughts, it can be hard to get started on a task, especially if that task is difficult or not interesting to you.

Is Procrastination a Mental Illness?

Procrastination itself is not a mental illness. But in some cases, it may be symptomatic of an underlying mental health condition such as depression, OCD, or ADHD.

We often come up with a number of excuses or rationalizations to justify our behavior. According to researchers, there are 15 key reasons why people say they procrastinate:

• Not knowing what needs to be done
• Not knowing how to do something
• Not wanting to do something
• Not caring if it gets done or not
• Not caring when something gets done
• Not feeling in the mood to do it
• Being in the habit of waiting until the last minute
• Believing that you work better under pressure
• Thinking that you can finish it at the last minute
• Lacking the initiative to get started
• Blaming sickness or poor health
• Waiting for the right moment
• Needing time to think about the task
• Delaying one task in favor of working on another

Press Play for Advice On Completing Tasks

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to get tasks done with a science-backed trick known as 'temptation bundling.' Click below to listen now.

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Some researchers classify two types of procrastinators: passive and active procrastinators.

• Passive procrastinators : Delay the task because they have trouble making decisions and acting on them
• Active procrastinators : Delay the task purposefully because working under pressure allows them to "feel challenged and motivated"

Others define the types of procrastinators based on different behavioral styles of procrastination, including:

• Perfectionist : Puts off tasks out of the fear of not being able to complete a task perfectly
• Dreamer : Puts off tasks because they are not good at paying attention to detail
• Defier : Doesn't believe someone should dictate their time schedule
• Worrier : Puts off tasks out of fear of change or leaving the comfort of "the known"
• Crisis-maker : Puts off tasks because they like working under pressure
• Overdoer : Takes on too much and struggles with finding time to start and complete task

Procrastinators vs. Non-Procrastinators

"Non-procrastinators focus on the task that needs to be done. They have a stronger personal identity and are less concerned about what psychologists call 'social esteem'—how others like us—as opposed to self-esteem which is how we feel about ourselves," explained Dr. Ferrari in an interview with the American Psychological Association (APA).  

According to psychologist Piers Steel, people who don't procrastinate tend to be high in the personality trait known as conscientiousness , one of the broad dispositions identified by the Big Five theory of personality. People who are high in conscientiousness also tend to be high in other areas including self-discipline, persistence, and personal responsibility.

The Negative Impact of Procrastination

It is only in cases where procrastination becomes chronic and begins to have a serious impact on a person's daily life that it becomes a more serious issue. In such instances, it's not just a matter of having poor time management skills, it's a major part of their lifestyle.

Perhaps they pay their bills late, don't start work on big projects until the night before the deadline, delay gift shopping until the day before a birthday, and even file their income tax returns late.

Unfortunately, this procrastination can have a serious impact on a number of life areas, including a person's mental health and social, professional, and financial well-being:

• Higher levels of stress and illness
• Increased burden placed on social relationships
• Resentment from friends, family, co-workers, and fellow students
• Consequences of delinquent bills and income tax returns

How to Overcome Procrastination

You might find yourself wondering, How can I stop procrastinating?

Fortunately, there are a number of different things you can do to fight procrastination and start getting things done on time. Consider these your procrastination exercises:

• Make a to-do list : To help keep you on track, consider placing a due date next to each item.
• Take baby steps : Break down the items on your list into small, manageable steps so that your tasks don’t seem so overwhelming.
• Recognize the warning signs : Pay attention to any thoughts of procrastination and do your best to resist the urge. If you begin to think about procrastinating, force yourself to spend a few minutes working on your task.
• Eliminate distraction : Ask yourself what pulls your attention away the most—whether it's Instagram, Facebook updates, or the local news—and turn off those sources of distraction.
• Pat yourself on the back : When you finish an item on your to-do list on time, congratulate yourself and reward yourself by indulging in something you find fun.    

Prem R, Scheel TE, Weigelt O, Hoffmann K, Korunka C. Procrastination in daily working life: A diary study on within-person processes that link work characteristics to workplace procrastination . Front Psychol . 2018;9:1087. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01087

American Psychological Association. The Psychology of Procrastination: Why People Put Off Important Tasks Until the Last Minute . 2010.

Bisin A, Hyndman K. Present-bias, procrastination and deadlines in a field experiment . Games and Economic Behavior. 2020;119:339-357. doi:10.1016/j.geb.2019.11.010

Steel P. The nature of procrastination: A meta-analytic and theoretical review of quintessential self-regulatory failure . Psychol Bull . 2007;133(1):65-94. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.133.1.65 

Ferrari, Joseph & Johnson, Judith & McCown, William. (1995). Procrastination and Task Avoidance - Theory, Research and Treatment . doi: 10.1007/978-1-4899-0227-6

Beutel ME, Klein EM, Aufenanger S, et al. Procrastination, distress and life satisfaction across the age range - A German representative community study .  PLoS One . 2016;11(2):e0148054. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148054

Limburg K, Watson HJ, Hagger MS, Egan SJ.  The relationship between perfectionism and psychopathology: A meta-analysis .  J Clin Psychol.  2017;73(10):1301-1326. doi:10.1002/jclp.22435

Altgassen M, Scheres A, Edel MA.  Prospective memory (partially) mediates the link between ADHD symptoms and procrastination .  Atten Defic Hyperact Disord . 2019;11(1):59-71. doi:10.1007/s12402-018-0273-x

Tuckman BW, Abry DA, Smith DR. (2008). Learning and Motivation Strategies: Your Guide to Success (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Zohar AH, Shimone LP, Hen M. Active and passive procrastination in terms of temperament and character .  PeerJ . 2019;7:e6988. doi:10.7717/peerj.6988

American Psychological Association. The first step to overcoming procrastination: Know thyself .

Svartdal F, Nemtcan E. Past negative consequences of unnecessary delay as a marker of procrastination . Front Psychol. 2022;13. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.787337

Schrager S, Sadowski E. Getting more done: Strategies to increase scholarly productivity .  J Grad Med Educ . 2016;8(1):10-13. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-15-00165.1

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Procrastination

How to prevent homework procrastination, getting kids hooked on finishing their homework by jumping in to the middle.

Posted October 7, 2014

Just mention the word homework to any child and watch the drama unfold: the eye-rolling, the huffing and puffing of do I have to?!, the melt down on the floor, the bargaining for “just 10 more minutes” of play time, at times even the flat out denial and creative distortion of reality: “Actually, um, I just remembered, um, our teacher said we didn’t have to do the homework today—it’s, er, optional ” (this from a 7 year old who shouldn’t even know that word) You get through the battle today only to face the same struggle again tomorrow; does it have to be this way?

Kids will try anything to not start homework. And who can blame them? Starting is hard. In fact, it’s the hardest part. The brain has a hard time transitioning, starting things that don’t have immediate gratification waiting. Like creating something from scratch, it feels daunting (read: impossible) to do all the parts—gather the materials, sit down (for goodness sake!), open your book, and actually start attending to what is on the page. But, the brain does like finishing things. It loves, loves, loves it! And so do we. Neural satisfaction circuits light up like a Christmas tree—flashing and making merriment— when we finish things. So a parent’s job is to help kids develop a routine to quickly jumpstart their work, get a hook into those books, so that their wired-in desire to finish things will reel them in and help them get the work done--the sparkly lights lit, and your sanity intact.

Here are lots of ideas to get started on getting finished, constructively.

Set Up the Launch Pad and Walk Away What’s the number one stumbling block to starting homework? Getting the papers out of the backpack. Or the backpack out of the car. An unopened backpack two feet away can feel like the mission to the moon and be a reason to delay for hours— we just can’t m-o-v-e . Crossing the room, unzipping the backpack, finding the books, the instructions, are you kidding me? There are no limits to how each one of those microsteps can become the sinkholes into which our children’s motivation falls.

As a pre-emptive strike to procrastination , have your child set up their work station, unzip the backpack, open up their books, engage just enough to decide (and take a quick peek at) what task they’re going to tackle first, and then… walk away. Yes. Walk away. Go get a snack, do something fun for 15-20 minutes, and meanwhile their mind will be secretly thinking about returning to that work because in one sneaky move you’ve turned homework from something to start into something to finish. When they return to their books they will do so with the transition already underway.

Think Menu, Food Menu That Is: Have your child start with an “appetizer,” an assignment that’s not too hard and that they’re not dreading, once they’ve warmed up their brain with that assignment, they can move into the “main dish”—the assignment that requires the most time and effort. Then, because your child’s going to be tired, finish off with “dessert”— an assignment that’s relatively easier or something that’s difficult but that your child wants to do.

Planned Breaks Rather Than Stolen Ones: Yes, it’s great to follow that strong current of inertia to a video game, the tv, or facebook , but when does the break begin? When does it end? Is it really called a break if you’re getting nothing done? Have your child sit down and plan to take a break after 45 minutes or an hour of work. Make the break short and sweet 5-10 minutes tops is best; move around, and before your child heads out on that break, have him take a look at what he’s going to do next. Your child should always leave a “path of crumbs” back to what he’s going to do next to prevent him from having to do a transition all over again.

Stop 7/8ths of the Way Done : Remember, we lose time with start up—procrastinating the beginnings—if we stop our work when we’ve finished one task, we’ll have to face the mountain of starting from scratch again to begin the next one. While it might sound counterintuitive, encourage your child to stop (for a break, or, in the case of long-term assignments—for the night) just short of completing an assignment. This way, knowing exactly where your child is going to pick up will encourage that “finishing behavior” and they can jump right back in, finish, and then move on to the next task all warmed up and ready.

Create Time Estimates for Assignments: Dread impairs our ability to estimate time accurately. When we don’t estimate time well our dread increases. It’s a vicious cycle. So, when your child sits down to do work ask—how many minutes/hours do you think this will take? First answer will likely be something like: “forever,” and you can respond—“right, that’s how it feels, but if you had to make a bet, what do you think?” Putting a time limit on it (even if it’s just an estimate) will help your child spring free from that existential sense of interminability that even the youngest students seem uncannily able to experience, and see—this is doable.

Chunk It! Like adults, children dread being trapped in something unpleasant. Instead, break an assignment down into discreet tasks, jobs or sections so that your child builds up momentum along the way by completing small goals faster as she works toward the bigger goals.

Separate Your Emotions From the Task : Does the work take a long time or is it the emotional reactions that are so time consuming? Help your child not confuse working with complaining or “freaking out” about work. If your child is worrying about the million things he has to do, this very much slows down the completion of the one task that is in front of him. Instead, have your child schedule a 2 minute “freak out” or worry time, where your child is naming all the things he has to do and how it feels impossible, then, with that done, sit down and start chipping away at the first task.

Time the Process: Children hate homework, but adding an hour of resistance to the 15 minutes it often takes to complete the work is just extending the misery. Challenge your child to see how quickly they can get their work done when there’s minimal grumbling. The result will sell itself. (Don’t ruin the project by saying things like—see, I told you it would be faster if you didn’t complain. Best if your child discovers that for himself). Alternatively, have your child set a specific allotment of “grumble time” so that their inner pessimist can speak but won’t derail them when their inner achiever has other plans.

Put Down the Ducky : Remember Ernie wanting to play the saxophone on Sesame Street? He had to put down his beloved rubber ducky first. Translated to your kitchen table—if your child really wants to get homework done, and out of the way, she’s got to put the phones out of reach, turn off the internet on the computer, make technology a reward at the end of the process, not a distractor along the way. No it’s not fool-proof, your teen can always sneak, or turn the internet back on, but challenge her to see how much more she can get done when the technology is out of the way for a bit.

Writing An Essay? Give One Minute On the Clock for Brainstorming: A blank page, a new assignment is always daunting. Sneak past the beginning by jumping in the middle. If your child is writing an essay or even a term paper, have her give herself one minute on the clock and write down all the ideas she has that she wants to say. No proper grammar or full sentences, just phrases. After a minute she can look at her list, circle the ideas she likes, then number them in the order that makes sense for now. Suddenly your child will have the beginnings of an outline. She can then begin developing those points and she’s on her way. She shouldn't worry about introductions and conclusions, she should just start in the middle and the rest will follow.

Fire the Critic! Often kids procrastinate because they are thinking about what grade they’re going to get, worrying about what the teacher will think, how this will impact their GPA, and before they know it, they’re not working on their paper, their in total paralysis about their future. Help your child see that the best way to succeed in the future is staying in the present: putting all of their focus on the work now. Make the grade watcher and perfectionist critic sit in another room until they’re done.

Many a parent has told me that these strategies work for them too. Check out my article about overcoming procrastination for adults —hey, why not now?

And, if you’d like to learn more about how to teach your child to take charge and free themselves from anxiety , check out my new book: Freeing Your Child from Anxiety: The Revised and Updated Version : Practical Strategies to Overcome Fears, Worries and Phobias and Be Prepared for Life, From Toddlers to Teens!

©Tamar Chansky, Ph.D., 2014 No portion of this work may be reproduced without permission of the author.

Tamar Chansky, Ph.D., is a psychologist dedicated to helping children, teens, and adults overcome anxiety.

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Procrastination and Homework

A Little Procrastination is Okay, But Too Much Can Hurt!

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Do you procrastinate? Most of us put things off from time to time, like when we're supposed to be studying for a test or starting our lengthy research paper assignments. But giving in to diversions can really hurt us in the long run.

Recognizing Procrastination

Procrastination is like a little white lie we tell ourselves. We think we’ll feel better if we do something fun, like watch a TV show, instead of studying or reading.

But when we give in to the urge to put off our responsibilities, we always feel worse in the long run, not better. And what's worse, we end up doing a poor job when we finally get started on the task at hand!

Those who procrastinate the most are usually performing below their potential.

Do you spend too much time on things that don’t matter? You may be a procrastinator if you:

• Feel the impulse to clean your room before you get started on a project.
• Rewrite the first sentence or paragraph of a paper several times, repeatedly.
• Crave a snack as soon as you sit down to study.
• Spend too much time (days) to decide on a topic.
• Carry books around all the time, but never open them to study.
• Get angry if a parent asks “Have you started yet?”
• Always seem to find an excuse to avoid going to the library to start on the research.

You probably did relate to at least one of those situations. But don’t be hard on yourself! That means you are perfectly normal. The key to success is this: it is important that you don’t allow these diversion tactics to affect your grades in a bad way. A little procrastination is normal, but too much is self-defeating.

Avoiding Procrastination

How can you battle the urge to put things off? Try the following tips.

• Recognize that a feisty little voice lives inside every one of us. He tells us it would be rewarding to play a game, eat, or watch TV when we know better. Don’t fall for it!
• Think about the rewards of accomplishments, and put reminders around your study room. Is there a specific college you want to attend? Put the poster right over your desk. That will serve as a reminder to be your best.
• Work out a reward system with your parent. There may be a concert you're dying to go to, or a new coat you've spotted in the mall. Make a deal with your parents way ahead of time— make an agreement that you can receive the reward only if you reach your goals. And stick to the deal!
• Start with small goals if you’re facing a big assignment. Don’t get overwhelmed by the big picture. Accomplishment feels great, so set small goals first, and take it day by day. Set new goals as you go.
• Finally, give yourself time to play! Set aside a special time to do whatever you want. Afterward, you’ll be ready to get to work!
• Find a study partner who will help you stay on track. Meet regularly to discuss your commitments and deadlines. It's a strange thing about human nature: we might be willing to let ourselves down easily enough, but we hesitate to disappoint a friend.
• Give yourself ten minutes or so to clean your space before you get started. The urge to clean as a procrastination tactic is common and it is based on the fact that our brains desire the feeling of "starting with a clean slate." Go ahead and organize your space--but don't take too much time.

Still find yourself putting off those important projects? Discover More Procrastination Tips to help you manage your time effectively.

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19 Ways On How To Stop Procrastinating On Homework

Procrastination is a common problem that many students face when it comes to completing their homework. It can be difficult to get motivated and stay focused, especially when there are so many distractions around. However, procrastination can lead to stress, anxiety, and even poor grades. In this article, we will discuss some effective ways on how to stop procrastinating on homework.

What is Procrastination?

Table of Contents

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions, often to the point of not completing them on time or at all. It is a common behavior that many people experience in various aspects of their lives, including work, school, and personal tasks. Procrastination can be caused by a variety of factors, including fear of failure, lack of motivation or interest, feeling overwhelmed, and being easily distracted.

In this article, we have listed below 19 effective ways for you on how to stop procrastinating on homework . It will help you do and submit your homework on time.

1. Create a Schedule

The first step in stopping procrastination is to create a schedule. This will help you stay on track and make sure you have enough time to complete your homework. Start by listing all the assignments you need to complete and when they are due. Then, create a schedule that includes specific times for working on each assignment. Be realistic about how much time each assignment will take, and don’t forget to include breaks.

2. Break It Down

Breaking down large assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks can also help you overcome procrastination. For example, if you have a research paper due in two weeks, break it down into smaller tasks such as researching, outlining, writing the introduction, writing the body, and writing the conclusion. This way, you can focus on one task at a time, and it will feel less overwhelming.

3. Eliminate Distractions

Distractions are a major reason why many students procrastinate. To stay focused, eliminate distractions such as social media, TV, and other things that take your attention away from your homework. This may mean turning off your phone or using an app to block distracting websites. You can also create a distraction-free environment by finding a quiet place to study or wearing noise-canceling headphones.

4. Find Your Best Time

Everybody has a certain hour of the day when they are most productive. Some people work best in the morning, while others are more productive in the afternoon or evening. Find the time of day when you are most alert and focused, and schedule your homework during that time. You will do more in less time if you do this.

5. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement can be a powerful tool in overcoming procrastination. Reward yourself after completing each task or assignment. This can be as simple as taking a short break, watching a favorite TV show, or having a treat. By associating homework with positive rewards, you’ll be more motivated to complete your work.

6. Get Help

If you’re struggling to complete your homework, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your teacher or a tutor for guidance on how to approach the assignment. They can also help you break down large assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks. You can also work with a study group or partner to stay accountable and motivated.

7. Visualize Success

Visualization is a powerful technique that can help you overcome procrastination. Take a few minutes each day to visualize yourself completing your homework on time and feeling proud of your accomplishment. This can keep you inspired and committed to achieving your objectives.

8. Take Care of Yourself

Self-care is important for staying focused and motivated. Be careful to get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise frequently. Taking breaks throughout the day can also help you recharge and stay productive. When you feel good physically, you’re more likely to feel good mentally and be able to tackle your homework with more energy and focus.

9. Start Small

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a large assignment, start with something small. This can be as simple as reviewing your notes or completing a short reading assignment. By starting small, you’ll build momentum and feel more motivated to tackle larger tasks.

10. Set Realistic Goals

Finally, set realistic goals for yourself. It’s important to be ambitious, but it’s also important to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given amount of time. Don’t overextend yourself and set yourself up for failure. Instead, make realistic objectives that are challenging but still attainable. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem, and use them to build momentum and motivation for future tasks.

• 9 Interesting & Weird Facts About Homework
• How to Get Motivated to Do Homework – 7 Super Secret Tips

11. Stay Accountable

Accountability can be a powerful motivator. Share your schedule and goals with someone else, such as a friend or family member, and ask them to check in with you periodically to see how you’re doing. This can help keep you on track and make you more committed to completing your homework on time.

12. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being present at the moment and focusing on the task at hand. When you’re feeling distracted or overwhelmed, take a few minutes to practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. This can help calm your mind and reduce stress, making it easier to focus on your homework.

13. Stay Positive

Lastly, it’s important to stay positive and have a growth mindset when it comes to completing your homework. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks or mistakes. Instead, see them as opportunities to learn and improve. Maintain your concentration on your goals and have confidence in your success. With a positive attitude and these effective strategies, you can overcome procrastination and achieve academic success.

14. Break Up Monotony

Sometimes, doing the same task repeatedly can cause us to lose focus and become disinterested. To prevent this, switch up your homework routine every once in a while. You can try changing your study location, using different materials, or taking breaks at different intervals. This will keep your mind stimulated and prevent monotony.

15. Use Pomodoro Technique

A time management technique called the Pomodoro Method divides work into periods. Each interval is typically 25 minutes long, followed by a short break. This technique can help you stay focused and work efficiently, while also allowing for breaks to prevent burnout.

16. Prioritize Your Tasks

Not all homework assignments are created equal. Some could be more important or essential than others. To prevent procrastination, prioritize your tasks and focus on the most important assignments first. This will prevent you from getting bogged down by less important tasks and help you stay on track.

17. Set Deadlines

Setting deadlines for yourself can help prevent procrastination by giving you a sense of urgency. Instead of waiting until the last minute, set realistic deadlines for each task and hold yourself accountable to them. This will help you stay focused and motivated to complete your work on time.

18. Use a Homework Planner

A homework planner can be a useful tool for keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and progress. You can use a physical planner or a digital one, depending on your preferences. Having a planner can help you stay organized and reduce the likelihood of forgetting important assignments.

19. Reflect on Your Progress

Finally, take time to reflect on your progress and accomplishments. This can help you stay motivated and feel proud of your hard work. Reflecting on your progress can also help you identify areas where you may need to improve and adjust your strategies accordingly. Celebrate your successes and learn from your mistakes to become a more effective and efficient student. This is the last way on how to stop procrastinating on homework.

This is the end of this post, which is on how to stop procrastinating on homework. procrastination is a common problem among students when it comes to completing homework. Therefore, it is essential to take proactive measures to stop procrastinating on homework. In this article, we have outlined 19 effective ways to help students overcome procrastination. By adopting these strategies, students can overcome procrastination, stay focused, and achieve academic success. Remember, with the right attitude and approach, completing homework can be a manageable task.

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How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework and Start Studying

14 Sep 2022

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❓Why Do Students Procrastinate On Homework?

✅How To Stop Procrastinating?

• 🔇Fight Temptations And Eliminate Distractions
• 🔝Rely On Your Motivation And Take Action
• 📝Work On Your Study Agenda
• 💆🏻‍♀️Don’t Forget To Rest
• 🏅Reward Yourself
• 💪Assess Your Strengths Wisely
• ✌🏽Turn Off Your Perfectionism
• ➖Bottom Line

Why Do Students Procrastinate On Homework?

Learners put off tasks until the last minute. It is the most common problem that interferes with receiving quality knowledge and education. This includes sitting up at night, hoping to complete all the homework assigned for the week, and trying to learn all the topics right before a quiz. Learners often like to prepare for exams overnight, culminating in disappointing results.

Are you sick of it? Learn more information about the reasons for this behavior and how to deal with it. PapersOwl tips will help you get better and get your stuff done in advance rather than the night before the deadline.

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How To Stop Procrastinating?

Learners repeatedly procrastinate on tasks because they don’t see how important every home assignment is to them, don’t understand the material, or simply don’t know how to begin. Task procrastination is a combination of motivation, confidence, and understanding issues.

Many college students don’t like to constantly struggle with themselves and procrastinate instead of controlling their lesson plans. This can leave many feeling like they won’t make it on time because they’re lazy. If this is your case, it’s worth getting your homework writing help from professionals. This way, you will reduce stress and turn in your homework for the highest grade. Our experts ensure the nicest possible quality. Many learners do this and remain satisfied.

Nevertheless, this problem requires a long-term solution. You can overcome procrastination quite easily if you take advantage of the following recommendations.

Fight Temptations And Eliminate Distractions

The first ten minutes are the hardest. If you manage not to get distracted by entertainment, your brain will tune in and fully engage in the process from the start. How to stop procrastinating homework and not pay attention to distracting factors? Just prepare for the task in advance. This includes:

• removing everything unnecessary from the workplace;
• turning off messengers, such as Facebook or Instagram;
• uninstalling mobile games for a bit;
• switching off your phone, TV, and other gadgets that may have notifications.

If you can’t avoid procrastination, don’t worry, you can still get the most promising results. Use the help of someone who can write your assignment before a deadline for a high grade. Our professionals are knowledgeable in a range of topics and can provide you with a correctly completed task in any field. With such high-quality services, you will be able to finish and submit your homework in advance. And then, give yourself another chance.

Rely On Your Motivation And Take Action

You need to have a clear vision of what needs to be achieved. Thoughts alone are not enough. It is essential that your motivation is visualized and not remain imaginary. You can keep these targets in your diary or hang stickers at your workplace.

Once you’re inspired, it’s a moment to get down to business and work on your assignments. It is also a good idea to avoid procrastination by periodically looking at the goals you have written down or the stickers with your objectives. This way, you’ll stay motivated to complete homework in no time at all. As a result, you may even have the desire and extra time to study other subjects or to prepare for a test.

Work On Your Study Agenda

A to-do list can help with the question of how to stop procrastinating on homework. Many successful people advise doing this to stay productive, keep the focus on studying, and get good grades for the assigned task.

However, just noting the upcoming agenda is not enough. One should divide each task into smaller items, as well as set deadlines for each step. In this way, you ensure your success in  completing homework fast and efficiently. Moreover, you can make things easier for yourself and turn in your homework by the due date.

Don’t Forget To Rest

You shouldn’t do something as serious as homework if you’re too tired. It will only cause you to postpone it for an even longer period. It is necessary to get enough sleep and keep track of your work hours and rest each day. Besides, sleep increases your academic success. Even if you have to sacrifice something for the sake of your school, it shouldn’t be about sleep.

Even if there isn’t much left to submit your work, it’s obligatory to take a short break, go back, check again for mistakes, and so on. Nevertheless, it is crucial to determine the duration of rest. If the pause is uncontrollably long, you will not be able to stop procrastinating on your homework.

Reward Yourself

Every time you consciously avoid procrastination and accomplish what you set out to do, encourage yourself with something pleasant. This will bring positive emotions into the process, which work much more effectively than guilt. Find a work partner that you enjoy interacting with. This can be your friend or a family member. Prepare a delicious coffee to drink while solving a problem. Or bribe yourself with ice cream when you have to study.

Though, our human nature can’t be fooled by rewards when it comes to doing difficult homework. Things can get pretty stressful if you don’t understand a complicated subject, like statistics. In that case, refer to professionals who will do your statistics homework and help you master the subject. You can choose the expert you like and supervise the process of completing the assignment yourself by using this service. Thus, praise from the teacher, and most importantly, knowledge, is guaranteed!

Assess Your Strengths Wisely

You may have overestimated your strengths if you don’t complete your tasks, and you can’t avoid procrastination. For instance, you thought you could do your homework in 2 hours, when in fact, you are not even familiar with the subject or the structure of the project, which increases the completion period to  5-6 hours. In the end, you start procrastinating on your homework and feel like a failure.

Instead, evaluate your abilities and time sensibly, and perhaps divide one big task into many small ones you will be able to handle. The first step to completing the assignment is to learn how to write assignment  correctly. Once you do, the process will go more smoothly, and you’ll be able to count on your strength to complete it successfully.

Turn Off Your Perfectionism

Perfectionism is the beginning of procrastination. Quite usually, it is the reason for constantly postponing tasks. The perfectionist strives to do everything in life ideally, including homework. When you see that it is impossible to achieve perfection, you decide against doing the assignment at all. In this matter, a significant factor is the recognition that sometimes it is difficult to do something on the highest level. When you start a task, concentrate on doing your best instead of focusing on perfection.

Bottom Line

It is possible to cure procrastination or at least lessen its impact, especially if you are determined to work on yourself. You need to understand how it all started first so that you can determine the proper way to solve this problem. Some people need to establish a strict schedule, others need professional help with schoolwork, and others just have to change the environment a little bit. If you are looking for additional help, there are  custom assignment writers available to provide assistance. Listen to yourself and try to implement the recommendations from this or related articles that seemed closest to you so that you understand how to quit procrastinating and trigger success in all spheres.

Dr. Karlyna PhD

I am a proficient writer from the United States with over five years of experience in academic writing. I comfortably complete given assignments within stipulated deadlines and at the same time deliver high-quality work, which follows the guidelines provided.

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How To Stop Procrastinating? Helpful Tips for College Students!

Your to-do list is piling up, but you’d rather do anything than start crossing items off your list. From procrastinating studying to procrastinating submitting that assignment, most college students wish they know how to stop procrastinating.

Did you know that there are actual reasons why you’re likely procrastinating? So, if you can overcome these barriers, it may get easier to know how to not procrastinate. We’ll share them so that you can maximize your time management skills and be your best self as a college student.

Why Do Students Procrastinate?

At any point in your student lift, you may find yourself taking longer to get things done than necessary. That will lead you to want to know how to not procrastinate on homework, studying, assignments, and chores.

Let’s first break down the common reasons why college students procrastinate in the first place. Some or all of these reasons may resonate with your own experience.

Unclear goals

If you have no clearly defined goals as to what you wish to accomplish, it could be harder to understand why you have to do certain things.

Fear of failure

An all too common occurrence is that those who procrastinate actually are just afraid to fail. So, they’d rather not start to avoid this potentially displeasing sentiment.

If there’s a lot going on in your school life and/or personal life, you may feel unsure how or where to even start.

You could feel worried or anxious about the potential outcomes of whatever you have to get done, be it a homework assignment or test results.

Perfectionism

Often in line with the fear of failure comes the idea of perfectionism. When you have the goal of everything being perfect, then you may never want to start something to avoid any flaws or mistakes (which are inevitable).

Lack of motivation

It could be possible you feel a lack of motivation because goals are too far out in the future or are unclearly defined

Perhaps, the most important thing to do is to ask yourself why you are procrastinating in the first place. This could prove to be a useful exercise because you may have to tackle the more deeply rooted issue and the shackles of procrastination will be released.

For example, you could fear that you don’t know how to do something, and to get started, you simply need to know a little more information or ask for help to understand a concept. Once you do that, you could find yourself easily finishing the required assignment.

How to Stop Procrastinating in College

Now that we’ve covered some of the reasons why students procrastinate in the first place, let’s take a look at some best practices to learn how to stop procrastinating.

Get Organized

To avoid the sense of overwhelm of having too much to do or not knowing where to start, organization proves to be crucial. It’s a great idea to use tools that help you stay organized, whether they are calendars or scheduling apps on your computer or the trusted old-school method of writing things down. Consider writing down upcoming assignments and deadlines, estimating how long the task will take you to perform, and counting backward from the due date to give yourself adequate time to get it done.

Of course, it still comes down to you having the motivation to start rather than procrastinate, but it’s easier to do when you have a clear idea of what you need to get done and by when.

Set Deadlines and Reasonable Goals

If you’re a person who procrastinates because your goals seem unattainable, then consider resetting your goals. While you can’t choose when assignments are due, you can choose when you want to have it ready by. In the same vein, you can’t choose when test dates are, but you can choose when to start studying. You can break down these items into smaller, achievable segments so that you can maintain momentum and feel accomplished. For example, if you have a 10-page research paper due, consider setting a goal to finish two pages per day so you can avoid having to write it fast. 

Remove Distractions

Sometimes, the only way to want to get things done is to have no other alternative. You can position yourself for this scenario by removing distractions. Put your phone in another room. Turn off the TV. Tell your friends that you’re busy. Then, you can free up your own time to get your to-do list crossed off.

Take Breaks

Getting things done doesn’t have to feel tiring or undesirable. Remember to relieve yourself of your efforts and give yourself breaks. This can also help to increase your motivation to get things done because you can look forward to the upcoming break. And, you can make your break as fun or as relaxing as you see fit. Some examples of break ideas you can try after you accomplish items on your list include: walking, cooking, calling a friend, scrolling through social media, playing with your dog, taking a nap, etc.

Reward Yourself

In the same way that breaks can serve as rewards and help to boost your motivation, so can actual rewards! Depending on what you enjoy, you can set rewards both big and small accordingly. Say you enjoy food and trying new eateries. Tell yourself that if you ace your next big exam, you’ll treat yourself to a dining experience at the restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. Or, if you like fashion, then buy yourself something new when you finish your semester with a good GPA. 

Ask for Help

If you’re struggling to hold yourself accountable, ask your peers or friends for help. You can help each other meet deadlines if you are unable to maintain your own self-control. Having people around you who will support you in reaching your goals and aspirations can help to manage your motivation levels as you are answerable to people besides yourself.

The Bottom Line

While there is no single answer as to how to stop procrastinating for college students, there are different behaviors and habits that you can try to overcome this common challenge.

So, if you’re a constant procrastinator or you find yourself stuck these days more than before, try to figure out why. Then, practice some of the above tips to overcome any mental hurdles.

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• Sep 28, 2022

6 Tried-and-True Ways to Beat Procrastination and Get Back into Homework

When summer ends and school starts up again , there are probably lots of things that will change in your life. You’ll have a more strict routine to follow. You’ll be spending more time with your peers. You’ll get back into school activities and classes. And you’ll have to deal with homework again.

Getting back into homework is tough when you’ve spent a couple of months not having to do any. It’s easy for students to get caught up in a vicious cycle of procrastination and stress around completing homework on time. Just getting started can be the hardest part.

At Liz Morrison Therapy , our counselors help middle schoolers and high schoolers ease into tough transitions and set healthy habits. Getting back into homework and school mode can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to ruin your school year. Here are some of our best tips for getting back into the habit quickly – so you can spend more time with your friends instead of worrying about assignments.

How to Overcome Procrastination and Do Your Homework: 6 Tips

Procrastinating on homework is one of the hardest habits to break, and it’s no secret that it poses a huge challenge to students. And it’s not actually about laziness – it’s about a desire to avoid the negative emotions that accompany whatever thing you have to do.

There are a lot of ways to overcome procrastination, and what works for some people won’t work for everyone. The key is to try different emotional management techniques and procrastination-busting methods until you figure out what works for you, and then continue to build on those. As you get better at new time management skills and emotional health habits, completing homework and other tasks will be easier. Ultimately, you’ll be less anxious and distressed about your workload.

Here are 6 ways you can build healthy skillsets around work, break the habit of procrastination, and set yourself up for success at school.

1. Acknowledge the difficulty of transitions

Your schedule is changing as you get back into school. This means your daily activities will change too. This might sound obvious, but many of our clients ignore this important aspect of returning to school. If you’re like most students, you have a lot of feelings about going back to school – you might be nervous, excited, apprehensive, sad, or some mixture of all of the above. And pushing away your difficult feelings can make it much more difficult to transition back to doing homework and attending classes. Maybe you’re someone who has a tough time with classes and schoolwork, or maybe you’re someone who looks forward to new assignments. Either way, you’re not alone. Acknowledging the big changes in your schedule – and how you feel about it all – can make a big difference in making you feel more relaxed and settled. Give yourself grace as you transition. It can help normalize any struggles you’re having and give you some much-needed emotional “wiggle room.”

2. Be realistic about your schedule

One of the biggest reasons students find it hard to get back into homework after the summer break – aside from procrastination – is they’re much busier with extracurriculars, sports, clubs, hanging out with friends, and possibly even working day jobs. There’s simply not a ton of extra time for doing homework, and this can put a lot of stress and pressure on getting everything done. Take a look at your schedule and ask yourself:

Can I realistically get everything done in the time that I have?

Can I feel good while getting everything done? Do I feel balanced and healthy?

Do I have any unnecessary or extra-stressful things in my schedule that I can eliminate?

How can I make sure to spend time on self-care along with all my other obligations?

Working through questions like these in a journal or with a therapist can really help you figure out what’s working and what might benefit from a change.

3. Eliminate distractions

If you’re someone who can focus all your attention on one task at a time without getting distracted, count yourself lucky. But for the rest of you out there, be sure to eliminate distractions when you work. Put your phone on silent and put it somewhere out of sight. Put headphones on with white noise or soothing ocean sounds if that helps you concentrate. Some students like a noisy atmosphere (like a coffee shop or a study group) for getting things done, and others prefer a completely quiet space where they can be alone. Know what you need, and give yourself that.

4. Plan out your homework – and break it up

To properly plan out your homework, it helps to know what’s going to be due and when. Write out a list (or buy a planner) with all your upcoming assignments, and score them on a scale of importance and difficulty. Many students tend to underestimate the time needed to complete their homework, so be realistic about the time different tasks take you. Don’t plan on finishing 4 different projects in one go, because that will just leave you exhausted and braindead. Next, give yourself a time limit for each project or assignment. Finally, work on the hardest thing first so some of the stress about completing difficult tasks is eased. And keep in mind that you don’t have to finish the hardest one first – you just have to get started.

Break up each of your assignments into chunks of time, and make sure to give yourself plenty of time to finish each. For example, say you have a paper due at the end of the week. Instead of trying to write it all the day before it’s due, set aside 30-60 minutes per day all week to work on that paper. Breaking up assignments will give your brain breaks and keep you from feeling super-stressed during and after homework sessions.

5. Set a timer

Setting a timer is a surprisingly useful tool for getting things accomplished. Simply getting started on homework is one of the biggest challenges for many students. Seeing a timer counting down can boost your motivation and help you begin. Setting a timer also is great if you’re easily distracted or have trouble focusing – it gives you an external cue to rely on. It also helps you avoid getting completely sucked in to one task at the expense of everything else you need to do.

Of course, it will likely take some trial and error for you to figure out how much time is actually right for you to work on each of your homework assignments. And this is totally okay. You can always tweak the timer when you need to. But in general, once the timer is up, wrap up what you’re working on. Give yourself a short break, and then move on to the next thing on your list.

6. Ask for help

There’s no shame in asking for extra help. Completing your homework shouldn’t feel like a monumental task. If you feel swamped with assignments and school work and need some support, consider asking your teacher or a tutor to help you. If your school doesn’t have a tutoring service, you can hire one or ask an adult for guidance. And if you are struggling with motivation or with the transition back into school and homework, a therapist can help.

Therapy Can Help You Figure Out How to Get Back Into Homework

If you’re having a hard time getting back into the rhythm of schoolwork and assignments after summer, you’re not alone. And you don’t need to let back-to-school stress get you down. If you’d like support in getting through your anxiety about how to do homework, we’re here for you. We’ll help you learn tools to beat the procrastination cycle, take the stress out of homework, and feel good about completing all your assignments and tasks. You’ll feel more prepared and confident about getting back into the demands of school.

Feel free to contact us for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We can answer any questions you have and see whether we’re a good fit.

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Global Cognition

Teach your teen how to stop procrastinating homework (without nagging).

by Winston Sieck updated September 18, 2021

“Trust me?”

You send him off to school. Drive him to soccer practice. Then there’s dinner. And, you know, a little TV.

Says he’s getting homework done. But there doesn’t seem to be that much. Gets it all done in school . Hmm. Trust me . Hmm.

You want to trust him. You don’t have time to review each assignment. And that’d go over like a lead balloon, anyway. Nagging is out. Major hassle. Tiny return.

But when the grades come back, you know you’ve got to do something. Trust me didn’t work.

You might think that getting things done has to do with grit or simple hard-nosed discipline. That he’ll wake up and do it, or he won’t. But this is far from the truth.

He’s got to learn how to stop procrastinating homework.

You can’t manage his time for him anymore. But he still needs support.

Supporting him to get his work done simply requires that you teach him a few study tips and time management techniques. Teach him how to stop procrastinating homework, rather than trying to manage his time for him.

It’s much easier because you coach him on tools and processes, without getting into the nitty-gritty of his business. This is a central idea of our study skills course .

The procrastination cycle affects us all (or “It’s not just you, kid”)

You know what I mean by the procrastination cycle, right?

Say your son has a tough homework assignment. About geometry theorems. It seemed pretty complicated in class. He doesn’t get it right away, so he decides to put it off.

Later that evening comes. He puts it off again. Until tomorrow and then to the next day. Now he’s feeling like he really doesn’t know what’s going on in class. More assignments begin to slip, and class is less fun every day.

He’s walking around with an uneasy feeling that he’s not going to do very well in this course. And feeling like that, it becomes easy to procrastinate his homework even more.

Procrastination is a beast that feeds on itself.

And you’ve met that beast yourself, haven’t you?

It shouldn’t be too hard to feel some empathy. Procrastination haunts us all.

Can you think of a time when you didn’t feel very motivated to study (or work)? A time when you were sorely tempted to put off the task until later? My guess is that you don’t have to think that far back.

What was it about the task that gave you an itch to procrastinate? Did it seem too difficult, boring, or just tedious?

How did it turn out? Did you break the cycle, or did things get worse and worse?

You’ve got a story about procrastination. Think it through. Get it straight in your head.

Now, tell your teen all about it.

Don’t worry if it turned out badly. It’s fine to show a little weakness. We’re all humans here.

My kids love and remember stories of my failures best.

The point is to empathize with your teen’s struggle. Show him that you really do know what it’s like.

Get momentum and spiral up

We all face the procrastination beast at one time or another. Yet, you have the benefit of experience. To get where you are now, you’ve figured out a few ways to overcome it.

You may not have them on the tip of your tongue, but they’re there. You’ve internalized your tricks. They’ve become part of your habit.

It’s time to bring them back to the forefront of your consciousness so you can pass them on.

Need some help?

Here are four ways to overcome procrastination. Share these tips with your teen.

• Nip procrastination in the bud . Recognize this cycle early on, and imagine where it will lead you. By acting early, even if just to do a little, you can avoid the downward spiral.
• Set small goals to focus on , rather than on a big task that seems like too much. Break the assignment or study activity into little pieces. Congratulate yourself as you finish a small task. Making a little progress will help increase your motivation to do some more.
• Make a deal with yourself . Promise yourself a reward for finishing the task, or a reasonable chunk of it. Tell yourself that you’ll watch some TV, listen to a song you like, or call a friend after you are done.
• Concentrate on the most recent tasks when too much has piled up. Figure out what tomorrow’s lecture is going to be about, or what homework assignment is due next, and put your energy into preparing for those. This way, you can enjoy a small win of a more positive class experience, because you understand what’s being said a bit better and have turned in a more complete assignment on time.

Which of these have you used? Maybe at work, instead of school. Do they jar your memory for other tricks you use?

The harsh truth about how to stop procrastinating homework

We all have trouble with procrastination. At least now and then.

It’s the same for your teen. And he’s had less practice handling it. He hasn’t picked up all the tricks you’ve come across for working through the sticky spots.

How can you help him get his tedious, daunting tasks done?

Not directly, at least. He’s got to learn to get himself unstuck.

But you can talk with him about procrastination. Empathize with his struggles.

You’ve know you’ve been there.

Think about what works for you.

Share your tips for getting things done (even when you don’t feel like it).

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About Winston Sieck

Dr. Winston Sieck is a cognitive psychologist working to advance the development of thinking skills. He is founder and president of Global Cognition, and director of Thinker Academy .

Reader Interactions

March 15, 2017 at 7:31 pm

Hi, I am a mom of a 13 yrs old, my son is a great kid, at everything he does. Somehow, regadless of his procrastination he always comes out of it either withan A or winning his science proyect. He is really good at writing (he does not get it from me,☹️) he reads 10-12 grade books, plays the guitar and violin, He loves music… He was just accepted at advance orchestra and he swims 3 hrs a everyday. But, I dont know if it is me or what, but it makes me lose it and I get so angry at him when I find out he procrastinate his work or projects. I feel he is ignoring his own capacities not just to have an “A” or get second or third place on his science projects, it angries me he could have done it better, not just to pass the test or finish the project, but to really leaves us all with something he can really blow our minds…. am I been to harsh on him? how can I help him to see that? or should I be the one who changes?

May 13, 2017 at 4:48 am

Read what you have written …the answer is within. Ask yourself is it procrastination or is he time starved ? To be good at one thing requires time, to be good at a multitude of things takes even more time.

April 4, 2020 at 3:41 am

Hi my son has just turned 13, he has started his homeschooling this year and it’s his first experience in homeschooling. He procrastinates all his chores a lot, be it be assignments or daily chores. At the end he gets very frustrated because of his unfinished tasks. Please can I request you to help me so I could help my child overcome his problem.

April 11, 2020 at 3:57 pm

This is all about my brother! His attitude to homework is hard to describe. And we have a constant struggle over it. And also misunderstandings and resentments. As a person who loves to learn, I can’t figure out how he can avoid homework all the time. I mean, I’m not a study fan, but I like the process of learning. I mean, he’s not interested in anything but computer games. I’ll try to find an approach to it using your advice. Because he needs to learn to be independent and of course to develop his cognitive skills.

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How to Turn Homework Procrastination Into Productivity

How can parents help their children turn homework procrastination into productivity? Everyone puts things off from time to time, but those who procrastinate chronically tend to avoid difficult tasks. There is a tendency to delay complicated tasks at school, home, work, and relationships, which can affect the quality of life and overall well-being.

Overcoming homework procrastination begins with the realization that it is happening. 

Procrastination at school can negatively impact students, leading to poor school performance, lower grades, and higher school stress. It can also create a cycle of poor grades and low self-confidence that can be hard for students to break.

Beating the urge to procrastinate is possible.

Homework Procrastination Causes

Contrary to popular belief, a lack of self-control does not cause procrastination.

People procrastinate for different reasons. Sometimes it results from too much pressure at school, or it might be from growing up in a strict household. For example, expectations for high performance from parents can make students put off projects out of fear of failure. 

Students may procrastinate to avoid stressful experiences. Some of the most common reasons for what causes procrastination include the following.

• Perfectionism
• Fear of failure
• Fear of criticism
• Low self-esteem
• Trouble focusing
• Task aversion
• Resisting challenges
• Decision fatigue
• Difficulty defining goals
• Lack of energy

Find out why students procrastinate in this article: Why Do Students Procrastinate? Or Watch our latest YouTube video below.

Consequences of Procrastination

Students are more likely to put off a project if they don’t understand how to start. 

Putting off work has a price. People who procrastinate are usually rushing their school work, which leads to sloppiness, missed details, and lower grades. These problems arise because procrastination usually takes up more than a third of students’ daily activities. Procrastination usually appears in behaviours such as napping, watching television, or playing video games when students should be working.

Other effects of procrastination include higher levels of stress, anxiety, and fatigue.

Keep reading: Getting homework help to overcome procrastination.

Turning Procrastination into Productivity

How can students overcome procrastination and transform procrastination into productivity? The first step is to acknowledge that procrastination is happening. 

Getting started can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that motivation doesn’t come before action; action triggers motivation. In other words, getting started even when you don’t want to can jumpstart motivation. Let’s dig into some helpful tips to overcome procrastination!

• Start Small . Don’t tackle everything at once. Break projects into smaller tasks.
• Remove distractions. Create a dedicated space where work happens.
• Create an action plan based on relevant anti-procrastination techniques while accounting for goals and the nature of procrastination problems.
• Implement a plan . Figure out which techniques work best and how to implement them most effectively.

Looking for some more anti-procrastination techniques? Try breaking tasks into manageable steps. Making subtasks helps make a big task seem small by creating tasks to complete one by one. Once a task is broken down tasks into smaller bits, try to commit to the tiny first step, e.g. working for 5 mins, then taking a break and returning to it. Don’t forget to set a deadline for when it all needs to be completed. 

Keep working at it! Overcoming the urge to procrastinate is not easy, but with dedication and practice, students can learn to dig into a task and keep at it, even when they feel like putting it off.

Need Help with Turning Homework Procrastination into Productivity?  

Once you’ve identified your procrastination pattern, get resources to overcome it at Oxford Learning. Students can stop feeling bad about putting off school work and start getting it done with the help of our tutors at Oxford Learning centre.

Contact a location near you to get started today!

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25 Tips to Stop Procrastinating and Find Motivation to do Homework

• April 28, 2023

Are you having trouble doing your homework, here is an article that lists tips to help you stop procrastinating and find the right motivation to do homework.

Keeping up with schoolwork can be tiring and stressful even for intelligent students. From an early age, dealing with homework and school is never easy. But, there must be a solution to overcome the fear and anxiety to face what must be done.

If you are a student having trouble creating a balance between school, homework, and other activities, you need to find the right motivation to get things right.

Are you a student who finds it difficult to get things done at the right time? Allow me to tell you that procrastination is a very bad habit and you need to let it go.

Yes, everyone deals with the problem of procrastination but is more of a problem if you are a student. You have to submit your homework and test at the appropriate time, so you see why it’s bad to procrastinate as a student.

To help you overcome this problem, we have listed more than 20 tips to stop procrastinating and find the motivation to do your homework.

How Do I Stop Procrastinating as a Student?

If you don’t try, you may never find a solution to a problem, that’s a fact. We all have our issues and how we handle their matters.

When it comes to students procrastinating and feeling tired to do their home, there are simple steps to take to attend to these problems. 

If you are a parent and your child is having trouble building a balance with school work, here are simple steps to take to make things better.

Firstly, as a parent, you need to understand why students procrastinate. You may think that your child is naturally lazy or care less about schoolwork.

That may not be the case, as procrastination is common even in adults.

Secondly, a student struggling with procrastination needs the right motivation to overcome their fears. Everyone struggles at a point in life and only the right words of encouragement can help in such situations.

If a student feels reluctant to do the work involved in getting the right results, he or she should not expect an excellent outcome.

Lastly, a word of encouragement from a parent can go a long way to help the student overcome the problem of procrastination.

Also Read: 21 Time Management Apps For Students

Why You Procrastinate on Homework

Exhaustion and anxiety are some of the factors affecting your self-control and motivation. You procrastinate on your homework, why? Because these factors are the problem you are dealing with.

Fear is natural, but when it gets the best of you over motivation, it becomes a huge problem. Distraction and unclear instruction also contribute to why you procrastinate doing your homework.

Self-control matters and it’s the motivation you need to even start. You have to be in charge to get things done as a student.

Yes, there will be exhaustion and anxiety, but once you are in control and have the right motivation, you should have no problem doing your homework and stop procrastinating.

You need to rejuvenate your confidence and find the right motivation to do your homework, so here are tips to help you stop procrastinating. 

#1. Find Out Why You Are Procrastinating

Every puzzle needs to be solved and the best way to do that is to figure things out. Procrastination is a huge problem not just for students, but for everyone out there who needs to get things done.

It’s more of an issue when it comes to academics. Delaying and giving excuses to do schoolwork is very bad. Procrastinating is packed with fears, exhaustion, anxiety, etc.

So, what is one way out of many ways to solve this problem?

Firstly, you need to stop coming up with excuses for not doing your homework. Search within yourself and find out what is stopping you from getting started.

Are you having this trouble because you are not interested in the topic or subject?

Whatever the case may be, you need to figure out why you are procrastinating.

#2. Challenge Yourself to a Quiz to See How You Procrastinate 

One of the tips to stop procrastinating and find the motivation to do your homework is to put yourself to the test.

If you want to change your behaviour to overcome procrastination, you need to be more self-aware.

Ask yourself these questions:

How often do I procrastinate and how badly is it affecting my state of mind?

Is it a problem to procrastinate and if yes, how bad is it? 

What tasks do I tend to avoid in school?

Once you find the answers to these questions, you are in for a big change.

#3. List What You Are Procrastinating on

Generally, most students are likely to procrastinate whenever they feel overwhelmed or stressed.

What if I told you that you can make things easier by listing the specific tasks you are putting off? It’s a simple trick and perhaps you should try it out.

#4. Keep Your Homework on Your Desk

What we are looking for are simple tips to help you stop procrastinating and find the right motivation to do your homework .

Keeping your homework far from where you can easily start looking into it is a no-no. The hardest part for most students is to start doing their homework.

Putting your homework on your desk will remind you that you need to get started. When you leave it in your bag or any place that is not your desk, it will be hard for you to start.

#5. Break Down the Task into Smaller Steps

Here is one of the useful tips to help you find the motivation to stop procrastinating and do your homework.

Let’s say you have a history report to write and you have just a few days to submit it. Here is something you should do to make things easier for yourself.

Apply these simple steps to get your history report done in no time.

• Read the history textbook thoroughly and ensure you are satisfied
• Conduct online research to get more information
• Gather your information 
• Create an outline for your work
• Write the introduction and the body paragraphs
• Write your conclusion
• Edit and proofread your report

#6. Create a Timeline with Specific Deadlines

As a student, you need to be time cautious and creating a timeline and deadline will stop procrastinating.

Making out time to do your school work and giving yourself a deadline is one big step to stopping procrastination.

#7. Spend More Time with People Who Are Hardworking and Focused

The company you keep say a lot about you and how much you intend to succeed in school.

When you leave the best brains in your class and decide to hang out with unserious students, do not expect the best results.

Associating with people who are motivated and hardworking comes with a better result. The more you hang with such people, the more you become like them.

The friends you keep in school should motivate you and add value to life and academics. Ensure you are in a circle of friends with positive mindsets .

#8. Tell Two or Three Persons about the Task You Intend to Complete

Telling others about the task you intend to complete gives you the advantage to follow through with your plans.

It’s called accountability, as you will be seen as an individual known for his or her words.

Also Read: 30 Motivational and Inspirational Quotes for Students

#9. Change Your Environment

One of the simple tips to stop procrastinating and find the motivation to do your homework is changing of environment.

Perhaps your current environment is affecting you and you need to move. Believe me, I have been in that situation where I needed to leave my comfort zone just to make sure am not distracted doing my school work.

It’s bad to lay in bed and do your homework, never do that. If your environment is a contributing factor to your procrastination problem, then it’s time you do something about it.

#10. Speak to People Who Have Overcome their Procrastination Problem

If by any chance you have a friend who has gone through this problem in the past, try reaching out to them. 

There are questions you should ask them and whatever answer they give you, take them seriously.

#11. Use the 3, 2, 1 Method

Create a countdown for yourself to stop procrastinating and motivate yourself to do homework.

Once it’s go-time, stop whatever you are doing and start working on that task. Creating this pattern in your mind will help you combat procrastination.

#12. Give Yourself False Deadlines

Let’s say you have a maths assignment that has to be submitted in two weeks’ time. Even if the assignment has no deadline, try creating one for yourself.

By doing so, you will likely finish your assignment before the deadline for submission. When you think you have all the time in the world to do your homework, that’s procrastination taking over.

#13. Give Yourself a Gold Star

A teacher may decide to award students with gold stickers if they score 100 on a math test. This is something most students would want. 

Never feel left out if you never received a gold sticker from a teacher. Once you try to give yourself that small affirmation , you will be motivated.

#14. Reward Yourself in Bigger Ways

Rewarding yourself is one of the tips to stop procrastinating and find the right motivation to do your homework.

Everyone deserves a reward after accomplishing a difficult task. Give yourself a bigger reward whenever you achieve something great/

#15. Consider the Consequences of Procrastination

Try asking yourself what will happen if you procrastinate. Maybe you will miss important deadlines at school or you will be unable to complete your school work.

Perhaps the history report you want to submit won’t get enough attention as it’s supposed to.

#16. Write a Letter to Your Future Self

We all want to be better as we advance in life and you should not expect less. Will you be going through the issue of procrastinating? Perhaps everyone you know will be facing this challenge, not just you.

What’s important is to be a better version of yourself in the future. So, here is something important you need to do.

Write a letter to yourself reminding yourself how you felt in the difficult moments and why you need to stop.

Whenever you are moving in the wrong direction, bring out that letter and read it.

Also Read: How to Create a Google Classroom: Guide to Create Classes and Contents

#17. Be Kind to Yourself

Generally, no one is impeccable and this should remind you that you are human.

When you procrastinate, remind yourself that you are only human and things like this happen. Don’t make it a habit because this is where it becomes a problem.

Speak to yourself that you will do better next time and ensure you do it.

#18. Visualize Success

Take a few seconds to visualize how you feel after finishing your homework. It feels right and satisfying knowing you have completed all your schoolwork.

There is a huge relief when you complete your task. Visualizing success perhaps is an inspiration to start doing your homework.

#19. Create a Study or Work Space

Creating a workspace is one of the tips to stop procrastinating and find the right motivation to do your homework.

If your classmate feels comfortable reading in the library, it doesn’t mean the same thing will work for you.

Where is the perfect place for you to study? Is it your room, the library, or a specific corner of the quad?

Wherever you think is best for you, study there and concentrate on your work.

#20. Set Aside Time for Recreation

Whether you are in high school or college, try to make out time for other activities.

Creating a timetable for recreation and study will help balance things.

#21. Use the Pomodoro Technique

This technique involves taking short breaks when doing your homework.

Do your homework for 25-minute long stretches, with 5 minutes breaks in between.

#22. Begin with the Best or Worst Part

Whether it’s the best or worst part, you have to find a perfect method to start your homework.

Choose your pattern and make the best out of it.

#23. Concentrate on Your Goals Instead of Your Assignment

It’s better you focus on your end goals of completing the homework and earning good grades rather than concentrate on the fact that has an aversion to your homework.

Also Read: How to Record a Meeting on Microsoft Teams

#24. Write Down Why You Want to Complete the Task

You will be motivated once you understand why you want to accomplish something so badly. 

One simple tip to motivate yourself to do your homework is to think positively. Here are a few important things to write down:

• Master the topic and learn useful information
• Learn to accept challenges
• Become a more focused student that knows what he or she wants
• Fulfil your responsibility as a decent student 

#25. List the Negative Feelings You Will Have If You Don’t Complete the Task

What are the feelings you experience when you don’t finish your homework?

Are they positive feelings that you want to experience over and over again? If the feeling is not positive, you must challenge yourself to finish your schoolwork.

We have shown you tips to stop procrastinating and find the right motivation to do your homework. It’s important you practice these tips if you are having trouble doing your homework.

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• https://www.daniel-wong.com/2016/01/18/stop-procrastinating-on-homework/
• https://solvingprocrastination.com/homework-procrastination/
• https://fairygodboss.com/career-topics/how-to-stop-procrastinating

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How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework? Winning the Homework Game in 2024

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• October 30, 2023
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Explore powerful strategies for how to stop procrastinating on homework. Your path to academic success starts here.

Yet, there you are, wrestling with the age-old temptation of procrastination. We’ve all been there, right? It’s that eternal battle between what we should do and what we’d rather be doing.

But fear not! In this article, we’re about to embark on a quest to conquer that mighty dragon called procrastination.

We’ll be your trusty guides, offering practical tips, easy tricks, and a fresh perspective that will help you take the reins of your homework. No more last-minute panics or anxiety-ridden nights – just straightforward, effective solutions.

So, if you’re itching to bid procrastination farewell and say hello to a more productive, relaxed you, keep reading. We’re about to unveil the secrets of how to stop procrastinating on your homework and make your academic life a whole lot simpler.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Procrastination Puzzle

Let’s talk procrastination – that common struggle we’ve all faced. You’re sitting there, homework in front of you, but suddenly, cleaning your room or endlessly scrolling social media becomes way more appealing. Sound familiar? Well, we’re going to demystify this whole procrastination thing and make it as clear as day.

Procrastination often happens because of two things: “perplexity” and “burstiness.”

This is just a fancy way of saying that when a task seems as confusing as solving a Rubik’s Cube in the dark, we’d rather put it off. Our brains like to avoid stuff that feels too hard.

Our focus isn’t exactly a steady stream; it’s more like waves in the ocean. One moment, you’re all in, and the next, you’re daydreaming about what’s for dinner.

Understanding these two factors is like having the secret map to procrastination. It’s not about being lazy; it’s about dealing with tough tasks and a mind that loves to wander.

But here’s the good news: we’ve got some straightforward strategies and techniques to outsmart procrastination. So, let’s get to it and conquer this homework hurdle, once and for all!

How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework ?

Learn the best ways to stop procrastination on homework:-

Create a Dedicated Workspace

Okay, let’s talk about creating your dedicated homework space. It’s like building your fortress against procrastination. Here’s how to do it:

• Chase the Quiet: Hunt for a quiet nook where the world won’t barge in every two minutes. It could be your bedroom, a library, or a peaceful corner in your house.
• Comfort is Queen: Make sure your workspace is comfy. A cozy chair and good lighting can make a huge difference. You don’t want to feel like you’re serving time in a study prison.
• Distraction Ditching: Kick distractions to the curb. That means your phone, the TV remote, and noisy siblings (if possible). Put your phone on silent or use one of those nifty apps to keep away from Instagram’s tempting grasp.
• Materials at Arm’s Reach: Keep all your study stuff nearby. No more scavenger hunts for that elusive pen or your textbook.
• Make It Yours: Personalize your study space. Add a dash of your personality with a motivational quote on the wall, a little plant buddy, or some chill music to set the vibe.

So, there you have it – your perfect little study sanctuary. Once you’ve got this spot nailed down, you’re all set to kick procrastination out the door and supercharge your homework game.

Set Clear Goals

Let’s dive into the art of setting clear goals for your homework – it’s like having your personal GPS for academic success. Here’s how to make it happen:

• Task Breakdown: Break your homework into bite-sized pieces. Think of it like cutting a big sandwich into manageable, delicious bites. If you have a major project, break it into research, outlining, writing, and editing – each is like a mini-mission.
• Deadlines that Talk: Now, give each of these tasks a deadline. Make it specific, like ‘Finish research by Wednesday’ or ‘Outline done by Friday.’ These deadlines aren’t just dates; they’re your milestones.
• Picture the Finish Line: With your tasks and deadlines laid out, it’s like having a treasure map. You can see the ‘X’ marks where you need to be. It’s your visual guide to the finish line.
• The Satisfaction of Checkmarks: As you conquer each task, put a glorious checkmark next to it. It’s like giving yourself a virtual high-five and a little victory dance.
• Ready to Adapt: Life can throw curveballs, but that’s okay. Be flexible and adjust your plan if needed. Just keep your eyes on the prize – completing your homework successfully.

Armed with these clear goals, you’ll navigate your homework journey with confidence. It’s like embarking on a grand adventure with a trusty map in hand.

So, set those goals, and let’s make homework time not just productive but also a tad exciting!

Plan and Prioritize

Let’s dive into the intriguing world of planning and prioritizing your homework. Think of it as creating your personal strategy to outsmart procrastination. Here’s how to make it engaging:

• The To-Do List Magic: Start by conjuring up a to-do list for your homework tasks. Write down all the missions you need to conquer. It’s like crafting your own adventure map for the day.
• The Importance Puzzle: Now, it’s time to play detective. Analyze each task and decide how important it is. Some are like urgent quests, while others can wait for your heroic attention.
• The Deadline Drama: Check for those homework deadlines. Some are sprint races, and others are marathons. Prioritize your tasks based on when they need to be vanquished.
• Your Homework Battle Plan: Armed with your list and prioritization skills, you’re now the commander of your homework army. You know exactly which dragons to slay first.
• The Procrastination Shield: With a clear plan in hand, procrastination’s evil powers are no match for your Jedi-like focus. You’ve got your homework forces in order!

So, get ready to turn your homework time into an epic quest, complete with battles and victories. Your map is ready, your strategy is set, and it’s time to conquer those homework challenges with style.

Onward, brave student!

Try the Pomodoro Technique

Alright, let’s dive into a nifty trick to zap procrastination – the Pomodoro Technique. Think of it as your superpower to stay laser-focused. Here’s how it rolls:

• Time Blocks: Picture your homework as a series of quick missions, each lasting around 25 minutes – we call this a Pomodoro. It’s like a challenge you set for yourself.
• Focus Mode On: During a Pomodoro, you’re in the zone. No distractions allowed. It’s like you’re a study ninja with your concentration shurikens.
• Mini Victory Break: After each Pomodoro, you earn a tiny, 5-minute break. It’s like a quick victory dance, a chance to recharge for the next round.
• The Fab Four: Once you’ve conquered four Pomodoros, you treat yourself to a more extended break, say 15-30 minutes. It’s like your homework marathon checkpoint.
• Procrastination Kryptonite: The Pomodoro Technique is your trusty shield against procrastination. When you have a timer ticking, distractions can’t sneak in, and your productivity soars.

Ready to level up your homework game? Give the Pomodoro Technique a whirl, and watch your focus and productivity shoot through the roof. You’re not just a student; you’re a study superhero!

Time Blocking

Now, let’s dive into the genius strategy of time blocking – it’s like your superhero cape against procrastination. Here’s the lowdown:

• Chunk Your Time: Imagine your day as a puzzle, and each puzzle piece is a time block dedicated to a specific subject or task. It’s like creating your own schedule with chapters.
• The Zone of Zen: When you’re in a time block, it’s all about that one task – no distractions allowed. It’s like setting your focus laser on high power.
• The Roadmap to Success: By assigning specific time blocks to different subjects, you’re essentially crafting a roadmap for your day. It’s like having a GPS for your productivity.
• Procrastination’s Nemesis: Time blocking is your shield against procrastination’s sneaky tricks. When you’ve set aside a dedicated block for a task, distractions find it tough to creep in.

So, if you’re ready to level up your homework game and bid farewell to procrastination, time blocking is your go-to strategy.

It’s like having your personal organizer, ensuring you stay on the path to academic victory. Get ready to conquer your homework with style!

Visualize Success

Alright, let’s explore a nifty little trick to tackle procrastination head-on – the power of visualization. It’s like creating a mental blockbuster that inspires you. Here’s how it rolls:

• Shut Those Peepers: Find a quiet spot before diving into your homework. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let’s get ready to roll. It’s like stepping into your very own imagination theater.
• Paint the Picture: Picture yourself acing your homework, big smile on your face, a sense of accomplishment filling your chest. See the finish line clearly – it’s like you’re watching a movie about your success.
• Feel the Feels: As you imagine your success, let the emotions flow. Feel the pride, the relief, the joy – like you’re already celebrating the victory.
• Fuel Your Motivation: Use this mental movie as your secret weapon. When procrastination tries to knock, play this movie in your head, and let the inspiration flow. It’s like having a motivational coach inside your mind.

So, gear up to supercharge your homework motivation with your very own mental cinema. It’s not just about getting the work done; it’s about enjoying the journey and visualizing your triumphant destination. Let’s get started!

Change Your Perspective

Okay, let’s chat about a cool way to tackle procrastination – changing your perspective. It’s like putting on a pair of positivity glasses to see homework in a whole new light. Here’s how it goes:

• Shift the Lens: Instead of seeing homework as a chore, look at it as a chance to grab some serious rewards. It’s like turning homework into a treasure hunt.
• The Treasure Trove: Think about the good stuff that comes with completing your homework – better grades, more knowledge, and the sweet satisfaction of a job well done. It’s like picturing a chest full of academic gold.
• Picture the Win: Imagine yourself reaping those rewards and enjoying the benefits. Feel the pride and personal growth that come with conquering your homework. It’s like watching your success story unfold.
• Stay Fired Up: Whenever procrastination tries to creep in, remind yourself of these rewards and benefits. It’s like having your personal motivation guru in your corner.

Changing your perspective can turn homework from a dreaded task into an exciting journey. It’s all about focusing on the pot of gold at the end of your academic rainbow.

So, get ready to dive into your homework with a fresh outlook and a pocket full of motivation. Let’s roll!

Reward Yourself

Let’s talk about a fun and effective way to combat procrastination – rewarding yourself. It’s like sprinkling a little celebration into your study routine. Here’s how it works:

• Task Triumph: After you’ve conquered a homework task, it’s time to treat yourself. Think of it as your personal victory lap.
• The Reward Menu: Decide on some enjoyable treats or activities. It could be a snack, a short game, a walk, or even a quick dance to your favorite song. It’s like choosing from your own reward menu.
• Keep it Proportional: Make sure the reward matches the task’s difficulty. Smaller tasks might call for a quick treat, while larger ones could earn you a more substantial celebration.
• The Motivation Booster: Rewards act as motivation magnets. They keep you excited about completing your homework and make you eager to start the next task.
• Stay Consistent: By regularly rewarding yourself, you’re building a positive association with homework. It’s like turning a chore into a fun game.

So, embrace the power of rewards and make your homework sessions a bit sweeter. It’s not just about completing the task; it’s about enjoying the journey with a dash of celebration.

Ready to dive into your homework with the promise of delightful rewards? Let’s do this!

Join or Create Study Groups

Alright, let’s dive into the wonderful world of study groups – your secret weapon against procrastination. It’s like forming a homework dream team. Here’s how it goes down:

• Gather Your Crew: Round up some classmates who are in the same homework boat as you. It’s like building your Avengers of academics.
• The Homework Campfire: Within your study group, share your homework struggles and victories. It’s like swapping adventure stories around a campfire.
• Accountability Partners: Your study buddies keep you on your toes. You’re accountable to each other, and that’s a fantastic motivator. It’s like having your personal cheering section.
• Brainpower Bonanza: When you work together, you tap into a treasure chest of ideas and knowledge. It’s like having your very own brain trust.
• Homework Hangouts: Study groups make homework a lot more fun. It’s like turning a solo mission into a group quest.

By joining or creating study groups, you transform homework into a social event. It’s not just about getting the work done; it’s about enjoying the ride with your study pals.

Ready to tackle your homework like a dynamic duo or a fantastic four? Let’s get to it!

Accountability Partners

Alright, let’s dive into a savvy strategy to kick procrastination to the curb – meet your accountability partner. Think of it as enlisting your very own homework cheerleader. Here’s how the story unfolds:

• Recruiting Your Partner in Crime: Find a friend or family member who’s game to join forces. They become your homework ally, your go-to teammate.
• Sharing the Secrets: Open up about your homework goals and progress with your partner. It’s like making a pact to support each other’s success.
• Daily Check-Ins: Keep the communication lines open, regularly updating your partner on your homework journey. The feeling of someone rooting for you is like a turbo boost for motivation.
• Victory Celebrations: When you conquer your homework goals, it’s time for a celebratory high-five with your partner. It’s like having your very own personal victory party.
• Boosted Commitment: With an accountability partner in tow, your commitment soars to new heights. It’s like having an extra dose of motivation on your side.

Teaming up with an accountability partner transforms homework into a shared adventure. It’s not just about the task; it’s about the bond and the joint commitment to success.

Ready to tackle your homework with your trusty sidekick? Let’s do this!

Eliminate Distractions

Let’s talk about a crucial strategy to tackle procrastination – eliminating distractions. It’s like creating a fortress of focus for your homework time. Here’s how to do it:

• Detect Your Distractions: First, identify what’s been pulling your attention away during homework. Is it your smartphone, noisy neighbors, or the TV? It’s like finding the enemy’s weak spots.
• Homework Sanctuary: Now, create a dedicated homework space where distractions are minimal. It could be a quiet corner, a library, or a cozy coffee shop – your fortress of focus.
• Gadget Control: If your smartphone is your kryptonite, set it to ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode or place it out of reach. It’s like locking away the distraction in a hidden vault.
• Noisy Neighbors? Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: If outside noise is the culprit, invest in noise-canceling headphones. It’s like putting on a silencing superhero cape.
• Stay on Guard: While in your homework zone, keep an eye on potential distractions and steer clear of them. It’s like having your own watchtower to protect your focus.

By eliminating distractions, you’re creating an environment where procrastination finds it tough to survive. Your homework time becomes a sacred space for productivity. Ready to transform your space into a distraction-free fortress of focus? Let’s get started!

Use Technology Wisely

Alright, let’s dive into the world of tech to outsmart procrastination – using technology wisely. It’s like having your very own digital homework genius. Here’s how the story unfolds:

• Explore the App Universe: There’s a galaxy of productivity apps out there. Your mission? Find the ones that click with your needs. It’s like building your arsenal of homework helpers.
• Time-Taming Wizards: Picture calendars and task managers as your trusty time-travel companions. They keep your homework schedule in check. It’s like having a digital time guardian.
• Distraction Defenders: Some apps are like your digital bodyguards, shielding you from distracting websites and notifications. It’s like a digital fortress of focus.
• Study Superpowers: There are apps for research, note-taking, and study techniques . They’re like having your personal digital tutor on speed dial.
• Accountability Allies: You can even recruit apps to track your progress and keep you on your homework toes. It’s like having a virtual coach in your corner.

With tech as your ally, you’re turning your digital devices into powerful tools for conquering procrastination. They become your homework superheroes, not villains.

Ready to gear up and turn your digital world into a homework powerhouse? Let’s roll!

Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

Alright, let’s unveil a classic procrastination-busting move – the art of breaking down your tasks into bite-sized bits. It’s like turning a daunting mountain into a collection of manageable molehills. Here’s the deal:

• Task Checkup: When you face a homework task that seems as colossal as a mountain, take a breath and assess it. What are the smaller, more doable steps hidden within this giant? It’s like uncovering the secret map to success.
• Mini-Missions: Divide that mammoth task into tiny, conquerable chunks. If you’re dealing with a research paper, think of steps like “Gather Sources,” “Craft an Outline,” “Write Introduction,” and so on. It’s like creating your own homework adventure roadmap.
• One Bite at a Time: Focus on one mini-task at a time. As you finish each one, savor the sweet taste of progress. It’s like ticking off items on your homework checklist.
• Overwhelm Be Gone: Slicing your homework into smaller pieces transforms the impossible into a series of manageable victories. It’s like turning an epic quest into a collection of thrilling chapters.

By conquering your homework one mini-challenge at a time, you’re taking the driver’s seat to victory. Procrastination doesn’t stand a chance when you’re the master of these bite-sized tasks.

Ready to dive into your homework with the confidence of a conqueror, one step at a time? Let’s roll!

Start with the Most Challenging Task

Alright, let’s reveal a ninja move against procrastination – tackling the most daunting task head-on. It’s like facing your homework Goliath right from the start. Here’s the game plan:

• Task Scouting: Look over your homework lineup and find the one that gives you the biggest case of the homework jitters. It’s usually the toughest or the least exciting.
• The Brave Kick-Off: Instead of procrastinating, dive straight into that challenging task. It’s like stepping onto the battlefield with your mightiest sword.
• Early Triumph: When you conquer the most challenging task first, it’s like scoring a winning goal in the big game. You feel an instant rush of accomplishment.
• Smooth Sailing Ahead: With the toughest challenge in your rearview mirror, the rest of your homework feels like a walk in the park. It’s like downhill coasting on a bike after a steep uphill climb.

By taking on the biggest challenge right from the start, you not only slay the dragon but also set the stage for a super productive homework session.

Procrastination doesn’t stand a chance when you lead with your strongest move. Ready to jump into your homework like a true hero taking on a formidable foe? Let’s roll!

Stay Organized 

Alright, let’s unveil a nifty trick for outsmarting procrastination – the power of staying organized. It’s like having a magic wand to create order in your homework realm. Here’s how it plays out:

• Declutter Detective: First, size up your homework space. Is it a chaotic jungle, or a serene sanctuary?
• Your Homework Haven: Carve out a special space just for your homework materials, notes, and assignments. It’s like creating a secret haven amidst the homework hustle.
• A Place for Everything: Give each item a designated home. Your textbooks, notes, pens – they all get their own cozy corners. It’s like having a treasure map for your academic gear.
• Supercharge Efficiency: When everything’s in its place, you’ll spend less time hunting for stuff and more time conquering your homework. It’s like turning your workspace into a well-oiled homework machine.
• Procrastination-Proof: An organized space is like a fortress against procrastination. It’s like having a homework superhero shield that repels distractions.

By embracing the way of the tidy and organized, you’re setting the stage for homework success. Procrastination struggles to survive in a well-ordered kingdom.

Ready to dive into your homework with the cool, collected vibe of a Zen master? Let’s get this organized party started!

How can I stop procrastinating immediately?

Got a procrastination emergency? No worries; we’re diving into action right now. Here’s your swift and snappy plan:

The first step is often the hardest. So, pick a task, any task, and just start. Set a timer for a quick 5 minutes and tell yourself you’ll give it your all during that time. Starting is the name of the game.

Distraction Defenders

Silence your phone, shut irrelevant tabs, and create a laser-focused workspace. It’s like rolling out the red carpet for your homework superhero.

Divide your task into itsy-bitsy mini-goals. Completing these tiny triumphs will give you a boost of victory and keep you charging forward.

Pomodoro Power

Work for 25 minutes like a champ, then treat yourself to a 5-minute breather. Rinse and repeat. It’s a dynamite method for maintaining your focus.

Imagine Victory

Close your eyes and picture the glorious moment when you finish your task. Feel the satisfaction deep in your bones.

Accountability Ace

Share your task with someone else. Knowing someone’s got an eye on your progress amps up your commitment.

Deadline Dash

Set a lightning-quick deadline for yourself. Creating a touch of urgency can fire up your motivation.

Reward Time

Promise yourself a sweet reward as soon as you conquer that task. It could be a treat, a fun video, or whatever floats your boat.

Stay Positive

Focus on the awesome feeling of accomplishment you’ll have when the task is done, rather than the effort it takes.

Push Past Resistance

Remember, procrastination is a mind game. Push through that initial resistance; it’s just a mental mirage. Keep pushing, even if it feels tough.

With these strategies, you’re equipped to kick procrastination to the curb right this instant. Ready to grab that task by the horns and show it who’s boss? Let’s do it!

You’ve just embarked on a journey to conquer the procrastination dragon that’s been haunting your homework world. With these powerful strategies in your arsenal, victory is within reach.

We began by understanding why procrastination sneaks in and learned that it’s a battle anyone can win. We explored the secrets of creating a dedicated workspace, setting clear goals, planning, and using clever techniques like the Pomodoro method and time blocking.

We harnessed the power of visualization, shifted our perspective, and discovered the sweet rewards of staying organized.

We learned to embrace the bravery of starting with the most challenging task and the wisdom of technology, accountability, and the support of friends and family.

We crafted a homework sanctuary where distractions dare not tread, and we honed the art of breaking tasks into manageable steps.

And if the procrastination beast dared to raise its head, we had a lightning-fast action plan ready to slay it immediately.

Remember, every step you take toward conquering procrastination is a step toward your academic success. With focus, determination, and these strategies, you can turn your homework time into a productive, fulfilling adventure.

So, gear up, and let’s banish procrastination to the shadows. Your homework journey is just beginning, and you’re the hero of this tale. Go forth and conquer!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i find the right workspace for homework.

Your workspace should be quiet and free from distractions. It could be a corner in your room, a library, or a cozy café, wherever you can focus best.

What’s the Pomodoro Technique, and how does it work?

The Pomodoro Technique involves working in short, focused intervals (typically 25 minutes) followed by a short break. This helps maintain concentration and reduce procrastination.

Is it essential to set clear goals for homework?

Yes, setting clear goals is crucial. It breaks down your tasks into manageable chunks with specific deadlines, making it easier to stay on track.

How can I change my perspective on homework?

Shift your focus from the effort required to the rewards of completing your homework. Think about the sense of achievement and knowledge gained.

Why are study groups and accountability partners helpful?

Study groups provide a support system and the opportunity to discuss assignments. Accountability partners help keep you on track by sharing your goals and progress.

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How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework – Learn to Study Like a Pro

Everyone has experienced procrastination at some point in their lives.

It’s that feeling of dread when you think about a task that needs to be done, followed by a strong urge to do anything but that task.

Unfortunately, procrastination can have some serious consequences.

Not only does it lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety , but it can also interfere with work, school, and personal relationships.

In extreme cases, it can even lead to depression.

Procrastination – A Common Issue For Students

Many students find that they work better under pressure, but this often leads to last-minute scrambling and feeling overwhelmed.

Other students procrastinate because they feel like they can’t do the assignment perfectly, so they put it off until they can’t avoid it anymore.

Still, others might have difficulty getting started or may be bored by the task at hand. 

There are many causes of procrastination, but no matter the reason, procrastination can have negative consequences.

It can lead to lower grades, as well as increased stress and anxiety. 

Elusive Goals

Unclear or elusive goals are one of the common reasons why people procrastinate.

Students are often very curious as they always have an analytic approach to any given task.

So, it is common for them to want to know why they are performing an action before getting started.

And with uncertain goals, they are likely to delay work until they find a reason to complete it. 

Avolition Or The Lack Of Motivation  

There are many reasons why students procrastinate, but one of the most common is simply a lack of motivation.

When students don’t care about the task at hand or don’t see the point in doing it, they’re much more likely to put it off. 

For this reason, it’s vital to identify a deeper purpose behind a project and keep this vision front of mind.

Overwhelm and Fear of Failure

Everyone is built differently, with varying desires, goals and motivations.

Students are no exception to this and can easily become overwhelmed by impending deadlines or a heavy workload. 

This overwhelming feeling often develops in response to a fear of failure.

In a competitive society where performance is paramount, students may be worried about doing the assignment well or getting a bad grade.

Perfectionism

When we set a goal of everything being perfect, we often don’t want to start anything in order to avoid any mistakes and flaws.

Students may procrastinate out of perfectionism , feeling that the task is not worth doing unless it can be done right first time.

Anxiety 

There are various of reasons why people feel anxious day to day. In the case of students, anxiety can be very unhealthy if not handled carefully.

Perhaps the expectation of parents may place undue pressure on a student, or comparison with peers may force them to evaluate their own performance negatively.

Procrastination is a common side-effect of such stress. 

How To Stop Procrastinating on Homework

Procrastination is a common problem for students of all ages.

When faced with a difficult or boring homework assignment, it can be tempting to put it off until later.

However, this can often lead to even more problems, as the work builds up and becomes even more daunting. 

1. Getting Organized Can Help

One of the best ways to avoid procrastination is to stay organized.

Having a clear plan for what needs to be done and when will make it much less likely that we delay our work.

Additionally, keeping track of all of our assignments in one place will help us stay on top of everything that’s due. 

2. Be Reasonable When Setting Goals

Realistic goals are essential to avoiding procrastination for students.

By setting goals that are achievable, we are more likely to stay motivated and on track.

In contrast, when our goals are unrealistic, it is easy to become discouraged and give up. 

In addition, avoid setting goals that are too general.

For example, instead of saying we want to get better grades, set a specific outcome-orientated goal such as getting an A or process-related goal such as studying X number of hours.

This will help us make a plan of action and stay focused. 

3. Cut the Distractions

As a student, there are countless distractions that can keep us from completing our work.

Social media, streaming services, and even simply talking to friends can all prevent us from getting our assignments done on time. 

However, there are some steps that you can take in order to avoid these distractions.

One method is to create a schedule for ourselves and stick to it.

Dedicate specific times of day to working on schoolwork, and make sure to stick to those times. 

Additionally, try to find a quiet place to work where you won’t be interrupted by others.

If possible, turn off your phone or any other devices that might distract you.

By taking these steps, you can create an environment that is conducive to productivity and avoid the procrastination pitfalls that so many students fall into.

4. Recharge by Taking the Needed Breaks

One of the most important things for students to do in order to avoid procrastinating is to take breaks.

It may seem counterintuitive, but students who take breaks are actually more productive overall.

That’s because they’re giving their brains a chance to rest and recharge.

As a result, they’re able to come back to their work with fresh energy and new ideas. 

In addition, taking breaks can help to prevent burnout.

When students try to push themselves too hard, they often end up feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.

However, by taking regular rest, students can maintain their motivation and avoid fatigue. 

5. Rewarding Ourselves is Fulfilling

Completing work and then rewarding ourselves is a great way to avoid procrastinating.

It is important to find something we look forward to as a reward for completing small tasks, so that we’ll be motivated to keep going.

This could be something as simple as watching our favorite TV show, going for a walk, or taking a nap. 

The key is to engage in an activity to break up the monotony of work and find our flow again afterwards.

Whatever the reason, procrastination can have a major impact on a student’s academic success.

That’s why it’s important to learn how to overcome it .

Identifying the reasons for procrastination can be a helpful first step.

Once we know what’s causing our procrastination, we can start to find ways to deal with it.

Some students find that setting small goals and taking breaks throughout their work helps them stay on track.

Others find that listening to music or reading while they work helps them focus.

Whatever works for you, make sure to start today – don’t wait for tomorrow!

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10 Tips on How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework

• June 4, 2023
• | Author: Virtue Map Team

You do not like to tidy up, but you are happy to take on household chores as soon as you remember the importance of the homework deadline. I hate cooking more than anything, but I can spend hours cooking if you only have an important homework assignment for tomorrow.

Have you ever wondered why it happens ? Have you ever asked yourself why I can’t do my homework? These are the surprises of procrastinating homework, that are able to surprise us every time we have to do one or another task immediately.

Why is it hard for Some People is Hard to do Homework?

People may procrastinate because of various reasons , such as:

• Feeling anxiety and fear that they will not be capable to complete the homework assignment;
• Wrong order of priorities;
• The belief that the homework task is boring;
• Thinking that homework will take little time, so it can be done later;
• Lack of motivation and perseverance to do homework;;
• High expectations of teachers and parents;
• There is no understanding of why it is necessary to do homework;
• Lack of energy due to inappropriate daily routine or diet;
• It is difficult to concentrate due to personal problems or an unsuitable environment for doing homework;
• Perfectionism or the desire to complete a task perfectly.

How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework? 10 Tips to Push You Forward

1. be honest with yourself and admit that you procrastinate.

One of the most common reasons why people cannot get rid of procrastination is that they do not recognize that they are procrastinating homework. And when asked why they did not complete one or another task on time, they find many reasons to make excuses.

So, in order to get rid of a problem, you first need to acknowledge it. And consciously monitor your speech and actions in order to ensure that they do not lead to procrastination.

2. State very clearly the reasons that lead you to procrastinate

After you have acknowledged that procrastination is causing you discomfort, it is time to name the reasons. Ask yourself why is it so hard to do homework? What exactly makes you anxious or afraid?

Naming the reasons will allow you not to blindly surrender to emotions, but to assess the situation rationally. When you clearly name the reasons, you may find that most of them are just ridiculous and not worth looking into.

3. Set clear and motivating goals

Another tip that can help to do your homework more effectively is to be clear about why you need to do it. This reasoning should not be superficial, but essential and inspiring for the work.

It is possible that the goal of finishing the school year with excellent grades or passing well in exams will not be very inspiring. In this case, try to deceive yourself. Use homework as a way to accomplish other goals. For example, if I achieve the goal set this month – I will allow myself to go to a concert of my favorite music group with my friends. If not, I will have to skip it, etc.

4. Break big goals into small ones, they will seem easier to overcome

Large projects can be really intimidating. In fact, they often paralyze people before they even begin to complete the assignment. Therefore, it is important to divide the task into several performance stages, and if necessary – to divide these stages into separate tasks.

This way the studying will no longer seem insurmountable. Step by step, one task at a time, you will soon have completed the entire project. And all this is only because a set of small tasks seems easier to overcome than one big task for our brain.

5. Surround yourself with people who have set goals and are purposefully pursuing them

Such a company will not only encourage you when it is difficult or inspire you when you lack motivation, but will also testify by example that the set goals are achievable. Of course, only if you devote enough time and effort to it.

As it is said, if you want to reach your goal slowly, go for it alone, if you want to reach it quickly, invite at least a couple of people to help you.

6. Tell others about the assignments you have to do

This is one of the effective ways to stop procrastinating with your homework and not only talk about the homework to be done, but actually do it.

You probably wonder, how does it work? Actually, this is another psychological trick that shows that when we have spoken about our plans to others out loud, we do not want to disappoint them. Therefore it becomes an additional motivation that helps to keep studying easier and to avoid procrastination at the same time.

7. Improve your time management: plan your schedule and stick to it

This is almost the most important thing: developing the habit of planning and sticking to that plan. Today, there are many ways to choose from that can help you plan your time and use it effectively. While some people still use a paper must-do list, others write their tasks down in a productivity app .

It doesn’t really matter which way you choose. The thing that is really significant – to choose one of the most popular ways to organize your agenda. And after that to start putting it into practice in your daily life. You will soon be surprised how much planning can do.

8. One task at a time

We often hear praise for those who know how to do several things at once. But it clearly does not work. When doing several tasks at once, our brain keeps switching back and forth from one thing to another. That is why we get tired faster, make more mistakes, and work less efficiently.

Therefore, if you want to save time and do more tasks in a shorter period of time, always follow a consistent order: one task at a time.

9. Choose a place to do homework with as few distractions as possible

If you want to prepare your homework effectively, then you need to provide the right environment for it. Choose a place where you have enough space to sit down comfortably and place the necessary tools nearby. It should be a quiet place – silence helps you concentrate for studying better.

It is also recommended to put aside all devices that may distract you. Be strict with yourself – give yourself a limited amount of time for homework (this will help you focus) and during this time do not use smart watches, phones or the computer unless your homework assignment requires it or the technology is useful for productivity .

10.  Reward yourself for successfully completed assignments

Do not forget that doing homework should be fun! Therefore, always reward yourself after successfully completing tasks. This will lead to self-satisfaction and the work done, and will also provide motivation to perform other assignments.

What kind of reward could this be? Whether it’s an episode of a newly released series or ice cream – use your imagination! And you will get rid of such questions as how to not procrastinate on homework, etc.

How to Indicate that You are Procrastinating on Studying?

Here are some of the symptoms that indicate you are prone to homework procrastination:

• Even though you know you have to do a task right away, you keep putting it off;
• Accomplishing small tasks that require only a little time and concentration also take a lot of your time;
•  You keep postponing frustrating tasks or the ones that might be boring;
• You wait until the deadlines for the completion of the work start to really cause you to worry about not being able to make it;
• If you have the opportunity, you prefer to postpone work until tomorrow, even if you know that the amount of tasks the next day may not be manageable;
• You would describe your busyness as a waste of time.

Is it common to procrastinate on homework?

Of course. Every task that requires you to leave your comfort zone can cause fear, confusion, and reluctance to do it. The same emotions are caused by tasks that seem uninteresting or too difficult. Most people have to deal with these emotions in order to stop procrastinating.

Can procrastinating on homework indicate ADHD?

There is no direct relationship between procrastination and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The reasons why people with ADHD fail to complete tasks are different from those who succumb to procrastination.

People call me lazy. Is it true that laziness and procrastination are the same thing?

Not really. Laziness can be described as an unwillingness to do anything at all. Meanwhile, procrastination is characterized by active action, but paying attention to things that are not important. For example, knowing that there is only one day left to finish an important homework project, a person still chooses to first wash the floor of the room, download a long-watched movie, to clean and organize the computer desktop, etc.

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