Procrastination

Mayeev Bishy
Sep 3
4 min read

Updated: Oct 14

Procrastination is the art of delaying. For many teens, this means putting off homework, chores, or other responsibilities that seem boring, stressful, or too overwhelming. At first, it doesn’t always seem like a big deal, but procrastination goes deeper than simple laziness. Most of the time, it happens when we choose the quick comfort of things like scrolling through our phones instead of focusing on tasks that actually matter. The problem is that these choices pile up, and before long, procrastination can start to affect school performance, routines, and even overall well-being.

Procrastination occurs for many reasons. Sometimes it stems from a fear of not doing well, making the task feel intimidating (Frontiers in Psychology). Procrastination can also be tied to perfectionism, often times not wanting to begin until you feel like you can do everything exactly right (McLean Hospital). For some, it comes from boredom or stress, since it may feel easier to avoid something unpleasant and do something enjoyable instead. Technology adds to this problem, as social media and games offer instant rewards that are difficult to resist (Insights Psychology). Many people also believe they still have plenty of time to complete tasks, but this often leads to rushing at the very last minute .

Procrastination doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people put off tasks because they’re afraid of failing or being judged. Others delay tasks, believing they perform best when the clock is ticking (Frontiers in Psychology). Then there are those who can’t make a decision and continue to delay, or perfectionists who won’t start until they think everything can be flawless (Frontiers in Psychology). Figuring out which type of procrastination someone struggles with can help them find strategies that actually work (McLean Hospital).

The signs of procrastination can be easy to miss at first, but they start to add up over time. Choosing easier tasks over the most important ones, saying “I’ll do it later,” and waiting until the last minute to start projects are some common habits. Instead of concentrating on their work, many teenagers become sidetracked by their phones or other activities. This can ultimately lead to anxiety, guilt, insomnia, and a rushed completion of tasks (McLean Hospital). Noticing these habits early can make it easier to break the cycle.

Procrastination affects more than just all-nighters or unfinished homework. Teens who put off tasks often deal with stress, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. This pattern can gradually hurt grades, since incomplete or rushed work tends to result in lower scores (PMC). It may also bring feelings of guilt and self-criticism, leaving teens feeling worse about themselves (PMC). Regularly putting off tasks can build up stress, which may harm mental health, weaken the immune system, and put extra strain on the heart (Nature). If you delay key tasks for an extended time, you might lose opportunities, such as scholarships or personal goals (Frontiers in Psychology).

Procrastination doesn’t have to control you. One way to take control is to break big tasks into smaller, easier steps because it makes starting feel less stressful. Even setting aside a few minutes to focus can be enough to jumpstart a task (Johns Hopkins University). Relying on planners, timers, or short deadlines is another way to stay organized and keep your work moving forward (McLean Hospital). Celebrate finishing small sections of a task, and don’t worry if it isn’t perfect. Imagine how satisfying it will feel to finally complete it. Finding a quiet place to focus or having someone check in with you can make it simpler to stay on track (Insights Psychology). Doing these small steps regularly can really help make procrastination more manageable.

Even though procrastination is called “the art of delaying,” it doesn’t have to take over your life. First, try to figure out why you keep putting things off. You might start to notice habits that make procrastination worse. Making a few adjustments can help, and if you stick with them, tackling tasks will gradually feel more manageable instead of overwhelming.

Works Cited:

Xiaole Ma, Zeheng Li, Furong Lu. Frontiers in Psychology. “The influence of stressful life events on procrastination among college students.” 11 May 2023 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1104057/full

McLean Hospital. “Why we procrastinate.” 13 July 2025 https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/procrastination?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Insights Psychology. “The Psychology of Procrastination.” 30 Sep 2024 https://insightspsychology.org/the-psychology-of-procrastination-how-to-stop-delaying/

McLean Hospital. “Why we procrastinate.” 13 July 2025 https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/procrastination?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Fuschia M. Sirois. National Library of Medicine. “Procrastination and stress.” 13 Mar 2023

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10049005/

Junqiang Fan, Yongjie Cheng, Ming Tang, Yuxin Huang & Jingjing Yu. Nature. The mediating role of ego depletion in the relationship between state anxiety and academic procrastination among University students. “ 06 July 2024 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-66293-6