PHOTO COURTESY OF O. NG VIA UNSPLASH.COM

Originally published January 23, 2024

   Procrastination is a major problem affecting all kinds of students today. As they put their work off, deadlines become closer and closer, and eventually, they are cramming all their work.

   "80 percent to 95 percent of college students procrastinate." website solvingprocrastination.com said.

   Procrastination is known as the act of postponing assignments and work duties, and eventually having to do it all quickly before a certain deadlin e.

   According to MBMS' survey, students were asked about how often they procrastinate, and a majority chose "always", "often", or "sometimes". 

   Although solvingprocrastination.com's studies revealed statistics in college students, MBMS' survey also shows that a majority of middle school students also procrastinate frequently; coming to a conclusion that students of all ages experience the effects of chronic procrastination.

   "I try to keep myself motivated [to do my work] by thinking about how much of a favor I'll be doing my future self if I just get it over with." sixth-grader Isabelle Acuna said.

   There are multiple different solutions to help students establish the good habit of doing schoolwork earlier.

   "I just make myself focus, and I give myself little breaks [in between work] to motivate myself." eighth-grader Kylee Curtis said.

   With there being multiple solutions, that means each solution applies to different students needs. Some students need little rests in between assignments much like Curtis, or just do it to get it over with like Acuna.

   "In one survey, 94 percent of people indicated that that procrastination has a negative effect on their happiness," solvingprocrastination.com said, "and 18 percent indicated that this effect is extremely negative."

   Highlighting how procrastination is very detrimental to mental health, it makes procrastinators far more anxious and stressed out than someone who doesn't procrastinate.

   "Studies have found a link between procrastination and poor health." Website neurosciencenews.com said. "It is associated with higher levels of stress, unhealthier lifestyles and delays in seeing a doctor about health problems."

   Procrastination has many links to poor mental health, but surprisingly, it also has links to poor physical health.

   "Students with higher levels of procrastination were also more likely to report disabling pain in the shoulders or arms (or both), worse sleep quality, more loneliness and more financial difficulties." neurosciencenews.com said. "These assocations remained even when we took other factors that could affect the association into consideration."

   Procrastination is a very unhealthy and stressful habit, and even has links to developing other bad habits.

   "Students often report that procrastination occupies over a third of their daily activities," solvingprocrastination.com said, "usually in the form of behaviors such as sleeping, watching TV, or playing video games."