5 Easy Ways To Beat Procrastination

Procrastination: it’s the thing you don’t want to admit you are a pro at, but the one that gets you every time.

Whether it’s putting off work because you simply don’t want to do it or because you have a lot on your plate, procrastination is not your friend.

Maybe you’ve tried your best, but you still end up binging your shows instead of working on your assignments, eventually succumbing to a mountain of work because there is just no time left.

The truth is, a lot of college students procrastinate. A 2023 study showed that a whopping 76.2% admit to putting off tasks until the last minute. Yet it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to course correct, because as you move up in your college career, a habit of procrastination can be costly.

And because we want to see you succeed, we have put together this blog to help you get back into gear and start 2026 strong. Ready to turn over a new leaf? Let’s go!

Why procrastination keeps winning

Procrastination isn’t about being lazy. Researchers at Princeton’s McGraw Center explain that it often comes from deeper emotional triggers : like fear of failure, fear of not doing well enough, or even fear of success feeling uncomfortable.

When something feels overwhelming or high-stakes, delaying it gives you temporary relief. You might not mean to avoid the task; your brain is simply choosing comfort over discomfort. That temporary relief feels good in the moment, but the long-term stress hits harder later.

And when you finally do start, the pressure is sky-high because you’re racing the clock. That becomes a loop: pressure → avoidance → panic → repeat. It’s exhausting — and it absolutely can be changed.

Small steps make massive momentum

One of the best ways to break the cycle is to start small. Really small. Princeton’s research suggests breaking tasks into tiny, manageable pieces to lower the emotional weight of beginning.

James Clear, author and habit expert, shares a similar idea called the 2-Minute Rule, begin with something that takes two minutes or less, like opening your document or writing one sentence.

Tiny starts don’t feel threatening. They don’t trigger panic. And most importantly, they get you moving. Once you begin, momentum builds, and your brain shifts from avoidance mode to progress mode.

Pro tip? Celebrate the tiny wins. Small progress is still progress.

Be kind to yourself — seriously

Students often believe they need more discipline, more pressure, more intensity. But research from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center shows that self-compassion helps reduce procrastination far more than self-criticism.

Being harsh with yourself doesn’t make you work better. It just increases stress, which makes you avoid the task even more.

Self-compassion looks like:

• telling yourself it’s okay to feel overwhelmed

• allowing yourself to restart without guilt

• acknowledging you’re human, not a productivity machine

It doesn’t excuse procrastination, it helps you move through it without shame weighing you down.

Set up your space for success

Your workspace matters more than you think. Studying in places you associate with rest, like your bed, tricks your brain into going into relaxation mode instead of focus mode.

Try creating a designated “productivity zone,” even if it’s small:

• a corner of your room

• a table at the library

• a quiet coffee shop

• a clean desk with your essentials only

When your environment signals “this is where work happens,” focusing becomes a lot easier.

Build habits that stick

SolvingProcrastination.com emphasizes that long-term change comes from consistent habits, not big bursts of motivation.

Habits make effort automatic. They take decision fatigue out of the equation and help you follow through even on days when you don’t feel like it.

Helpful starter habits:

• a daily 20-minute review session

• turning off notifications during study time

• setting a timer and working in short blocks

• reviewing deadlines every morning

• creating a “no phone until after ___” rule

These small routines create structure — and structure beats chaos every time.

When things get tough, scale down, not back

There will be days when starting feels impossible. Instead of forcing yourself to push harder or giving up completely, try scaling the task down.

If writing a paper feels too big, commit to writing one paragraph.
If studying for two hours feels like too much, start with ten minutes.
If reading a chapter feels overwhelming, read one page.

Progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful.

Take Control

Procrastinating can be nasty business. On the surface, it seems harmless and part of the college experience. But in reality, it leaves you feeling stressed, defeated, and even overwhelmed when its consequences catch up to you.

Overcoming it can also feel insurmountable if it’s all you know, but it’s never too late to change, and the best news is you don’t need a drastic overhaul of your life, just small changes that make a big difference over time.

The most surprising of all these ways to beat procrastination may be the most telling: being kind to yourself as you mature. Because procrastination can be the root of other emotional triggers, mainly fear, you must tackle this issue with a hefty dose of self-compassion.

Whether you choose a new place to work or set that phone to DND, we hope you can take actionable steps to make 2026 the best you can by taking control of your fears and your time.

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