Procrastination Among Youths

Written by Jessy Salazar

What tasks do you find yourself procrastinating on the most, and why do you believe that is? What role do you believe perfectionism plays in your desire to procrastinate on tasks? How do feelings of anxiety or fear of failure influence your decision to delay assignments? Have you ever found yourself procrastinating a lot more than doing the task itself on time?

Procrastination involves the act of putting off tasks or responsibilities, frequently choosing more enjoyable, immediate activities instead. It occurs when you delay tackling something significant and opt for a more enjoyable or simpler activity instead. It’s similar to realizing you have assignments to complete, yet you find yourself browsing social media or watching your favorite series excessively instead. 

A lot of us find ourselves caught in a loop of delaying tasks in a time when diversions are just a click away. Postponing tasks may result from various factors, such as incessant scrolling on social media and overwhelming academic pressures. Due to persistent interruptions from electronic devices, we often delay important tasks, like school work, personal endeavors, or daily responsibilities. 

In today’s generation, numerous young individuals, especially students, often struggle with procrastination and find it challenging to complete tasks on time. What do you believe could be the cause of this behavior? 

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According to Kendra Cherry, MSEd, from Verywell Mind (2024), “researchers suggest that procrastination is particularly pronounced among students. An estimated 75% of students procrastinate regularly, and about half of these individuals feel that this behavior is a persistent problem.  Many of us tend to overestimate how much time we have left to complete tasks, mistakenly believe we will feel more motivated in the future, underestimate how long activities will take, and assume we need to be in the right frame of mind to start working.”

Students frequently procrastinate, which can stem from misjudging the duration of tasks, believing motivation will enhance later, and desiring to be in the right mindset before beginning work. The study indicated that seventy-five percent of students report procrastinating frequently, while fifty percent claim it is an ongoing issue. 

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Numerous young learners face challenges with procrastination, but what contributes to this situation? A possible key reason is the absence of discipline, time management abilities, and self-discipline. Moreover, certain students might struggle with task prioritization, experiencing challenges in maintaining concentration and making choices. All these elements can create challenges for young individuals in managing their tasks, resulting in stress, overdue assignments, and decreased grades. 

According to Alisa Crossfield, Ph.D (2020), “I was sitting on my couch recently, staring at my phone with my computer open on my lap. A text popped up from a teenage client struggling with anxiety. She wrote something to the effect of, ‘How do I make myself do my homework? I know I need to, but I am just too lazy.’ Part of me wanted to laugh since the reason I was staring at my phone was that I, too, was procrastinating.

Procrastination is not an easy habit to break. Calling yourself lazy actually makes it harder to break. The task is made even more difficult when teenagers hear adult voices calling them lazy. In general, insulting ourselves and others reduces motivation rather than increases it. In the case of procrastination, it is also an inaccurate insult. Procrastination is rarely a problem of laziness. It is actually a problem related to emotion regulation.” 

Crossfield’s findings emphasize that procrastination is frequently a multifaceted issue, often stemming from difficulties in emotional regulation rather than mere laziness. She emphasizes that calling procrastinators lazy is counterproductive, particularly for teenagers, who might already feel vulnerable and anxious regarding their academic success. Moreover, she emphasizes that labeling oneself as lazy strengthens the inclination to procrastinate, continuing the cycle of inactivity. It is essential for more individuals to recognize and comprehend the fundamental reasons behind procrastination rather than merely classifying it as “lazy.”

Conquering procrastination in a world filled with distractions demands more than just enhanced time management; it also necessitates an understanding of the psychological elements at play. When we examine our routines, we ought to ask ourselves: What underlying beliefs or anxieties fuel our procrastination? How can we change our perspective such that we see chores as chances for development rather than as causes of worry?  

References: 

MSEd, K. C. (2024, July 7). What is procrastination? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-procrastination-2795944

Crossfield, A., PhD. (2020, June 25). It’s probably not due to laziness. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotionally-healthy-teens/202006/why-does-my-teen-procrastinate?amp