The Art of Procrastination
Writer: Audrey Gao
Editor: Elise Su
High schoolers around the world know all too well the word procrastination, especially when an assignment is due or when a test is the next day. Procrastination follows individuals throughout their lives. Whether that’s in college, a steady nine to five, or even as an elder. Yet, while many swear to themselves they will do better the next time when that next time arrives, the vicious cycle returns.
It is worth mentioning that procrastination is the most common in adolescents and young adults, due to the brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex, being in a developmental stage. This portion of the brain handles planning and impulse control, both key ingredients in procrastination. Doing what feels good in the present is what drives these decisions, and most of the time, it’s easier to forget and ignore such tasks. That is, until the night before a deadline.
When procrastination is thought of, the first words that come to mind are: laziness, fatigue, disengagement, and poor time management. All words which shift the blame onto the adolescent. Yet, certain types of procrastination aren’t the fault of the teenager.
Task paralysis falls under the umbrella of procrastination. It occurs when someone is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work to accomplish, resulting in no progress being made. With no idea how to start, the work ends up being pushed back. This example of procrastination is perfectly applicable to teens. With homework being assigned daily and a monthly influx of tests and projects, it is no wonder procrastination is so prevalent among teenagers.
Technology has played a significant role in the increase in procrastination. Algorithms designed to maximize profits by keeping users hooked on apps have made it easier than ever to procrastinate. Notifications going off left and right of texts from friends, the latest TikTok video or an Instagram reel being sent can all distract someone from the task at hand.
Guidance counselors at Havergal are helping their students overcome procrastination so it doesn’t follow them throughout middle and high school, and even into college and university. A strategy given was to list out everything that needed to be done, then organize them into what took the most amount of time or energy. Depending on the student, either working on harder tasks or easier tasks can be done first. By getting the harder assignments done first, they are out of the way and done. Getting the easier assignments done first helps set the motivation in motion, making it easier to get the rest of the list done.
Other strategies include using a reward system, turning boring tasks into games, doing anything to get over the initial hump of being unable to start and limiting technology and social media. These methods can all help reduce procrastination.