Whoops, procrastination. the worst thing that can happen to any student (or is it?). The reality about procrastination is significantly more complex than the stereotype that portrays it as the enemy of productivity.
While there is a chance of missing deadlines and poor quality work, there are also some unexpected advantages for student achievement.
Alright, let’s admit that putting things off can be a great motivation. There’s a fire under our seats caused by the approaching deadline, and we have to draw from a source of concentrated energy. We stow away knowledge, write with a zeal that would make Shakespeare proud, and accomplish (almost) incredible feats of academic success.
This productivity boost brought on by pressure can be a useful tool, particularly for people who get their energy from last-minute scrambling.
But there’s a high cost associated with this advantage. The strain of always chasing deadlines has an adverse effect on one’s physical and mental health. A persistent knot of anxiety, bad eating patterns, and sleepless nights are all unwanted companions of the chronic procrastinator. Moreover, when work is rushed, quality frequently decreases. With more time and preparation, you could have written a thought-provoking masterpiece instead of a mediocre essay in the last minute. Read more on this here.
The best course of action is to use procrastination to your advantage rather than trying to completely eradicate it. Recognise that it can help you focus more intently, but utilise it wisely. Establish more manageable deadlines during the semester to prevent the overwhelm that comes with an impending final assignment.
Give yourself a reward for finishing assignments on time, and arrange your workspace to reduce distractions. In this manner, you can take use of procrastination’s motivating qualities without falling victim to its anxiety-inducing traps.
Thus, keep in mind that procrastination can have both positive and negative effects the next time you find yourself inclined to put things off until the last minute. When used properly, it may even prove to be an improbable friend in your quest for scholastic achievement.
