Putting Things Off (Procrastinating): Signs of Procrastination

Do any of the points below sound familiar to you?

Difficulty in making a start on a piece of work or revision

Do you find yourself constant putting back your starting time and never actually getting going? Are you often waiting for the "right moment" to start or for inspiration to strike you?

Craving diversion

Does the need to tidy your room, do the shopping, phone home and so on become irresistible whenever you contemplate getting down to work? Are you easily distracted from your work by friends and social opportunities?

Ineffective working

Do you spend time in the library but end up with little to show for it? Do you stare at a blank piece of paper rather than being able to start writing?

Last minute rushing

Is all your work finally done at a breakneck speed the night before the final deadline or the exam? Do you often think you have not left yourself time to do the work justice?

Missed deadlines

Do you feel you are always requesting extensions and making excuses? Are you losing marks on work because it is late? Do you find it hard to get to classes?

Nagging guilt

Is your social and relaxation time spoilt by the continual feeling that you ought to be working? Do you often feel you have got a lower grade than you should have achieved?

Disappointment and self-reproach

Do you feel you are letting yourself down by putting things off? Do you think of yourself as lazy and as a poor student? Do you compare yourself unfavourably with others because of your procrastinating?

If you answer yes to many of these questions, you may well have developed the habit of putting things off. Read on to learn why you do this and how to help yourself.