By: Thomas Horvath

Having a task to do can have an effect on the person assigned to the task. Some people will do it very quickly, others will break it out into small bits of work every day or so, and others will procrastinate. Procrastination is defined as the action of delaying or postponing something.  Studies have shown that around 15 to 20 percent of adults are affected chronically by procrastination. Many people procrastinate, but why is that? 

A reason for most people to procrastinate is that they do not feel like working until they have to. This is especially common with students. When a child gets off of school, they will want to play before doing homework and will wait until later to do it. A survey in July of 2021 gathered that 80 to 95 percent of college students procrastinate at least sometimes. This is even worse with high school students, with many kids still learning how to balance schoolwork and social life. With high school students being in a developing state and highly emotional, this new overload of work can result in students being overwhelmed and stressed, resulting in their grades dropping. 

What are ways to help from procrastination? There are many solutions, but one way is to create a routine or schedule. Making a list of things to do can help to stay focused on the task at hand. Another way is to get rid of distractions while working. Putting your phone on silent, staying in a silent area, and taking small breaks are all ways to stay focused. Still, working to stop procrastinating can be very challenging but beneficial in the long run. It all comes down to overcoming bad habits and staying focused and on top of assignments, projects, or any work you have to do.