You’re sitting at your desk, ready to finish a huge presentation for one of your classes. It was assigned to you last week; however, you held it off until the day it was due. You open your computer, take one look at the assignment, and close the computer. Two hours pass as you are scrolling through Instagram reels, realizing that you’ve only got one hour to finish fifty slides. This is a common example of procrastination. 

So what is procrastination? Procrastination is known as the act of delaying tasks till the last minute, despite knowing the possible negative consequences. Many often mistake it for being lazy or lethargic. However, this isn’t really the case. Procrastination can come from fearing failure, dreading boredom, or not knowing how to start. When experiencing these emotions, many resort to avoidance. Procrastination doesn’t mean someone is lazy; it can be equivalent to a type of coping mechanism. 

Procrastination is something we all come to face at some point in our lives. According to a study conducted by DePaul University psychology professor Joseph Ferrari, procrastination affects 20% of adults and 50% of university students. Ferrari was also a part of a 2014 study on students’ mental health and coping, which found that students who procrastinated were susceptible to increased levels of stress and ignoring their needs. 

Psychologists have found a variety of different reasons people procrastinate, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, or low self-confidence. One notable psychologist, Linda Sapadin, shares that there are six different kinds of procrastinators: the worrier, the perfectionist, the over-doer, the dreamer, the crisis-maker, and the defier. 

The worrier, the perfectionist, and the over-doer are all guided by feelings of anxiety. The worrier fears risks and the unknown, causing them to overthink and stress about the work at hand. The perfectionist fears failure, not wanting to complete a task anything less than perfection. The over-doer commits to too much, unable to prioritize and pushing off their own work for others. 

The dreamer, the crisis-maker, and the defier are all guided by feelings of apathy. The dreamer does not like details, so although they may have big ideas, they aren’t willing to put in the effort to execute it to its full extent, making it hard for them to complete their assignment. The crisis-maker is addicted to living life on the edge, feeling that they work best under the stress and pressure of last-minute tasks. The defier is known to be passive-aggressive, wanting to have control over their own schedule. 

There are many ways to overcome procrastination, no matter what type of procrastinator you may be. Reducing the number of decisions you make in a day can save you energy and lessen the amount of stress you put on your brain. Rather than figuring out plans on the spot, by finishing the day before it starts, and planning days in advance, you can steer clear of procrastination. Picking a good study location/environment is also important, making sure you keep away from work spaces that distract you from accomplishing your tasks. In addition, working with a study group can help provide motivation to finish work on time and fill the void of loneliness you may feel when working alone. 

Next time you find yourself wanting to push off that presentation, remember that it’s better to do it sooner than later!