How to overcome procrastination while studying
The Clock is Ticking: Why We Procrastinate and How to Finally Beat It I’ll never forget the night before my first college midterm. I’d spent the entire week planning to study for m...
The Clock is Ticking: Why We Procrastinate and How to Finally Beat It
I’ll never forget the night before my first college midterm. I’d spent the entire week planning to study for my history class—really, I had. I’d organized my notes, set reminders on my phone, even told my friends I was going to “lock in.” But instead of reviewing the causes of the French Revolution, I found myself deep-cleaning my dorm room, reorganizing my bookshelf by color, and watching an entire documentary about… sea otters. By 2 a.m., panic set in. I was exhausted, unprepared, and full of regret. Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever found yourself doing literally anything except the task you know you should be doing, you’re in good company. Procrastination isn’t a character flaw—it’s a universal human experience, especially when it comes to studying. But what if I told you that overcoming it isn’t about working harder, but working smarter? Let’s explore why we delay what matters most and how to break the cycle for good.
Why Do We Put Off What Matters?
At its core, procrastination is rarely about laziness. It’s often a response to stress, fear, or overwhelm. Think about it: staring down a massive textbook or a pile of assignments can feel daunting. Our brains, clever as they are, look for an escape hatch. Suddenly, cleaning your room or scrolling through social media seems much more appealing than facing that mountain of work.
Dr. Piers Steel, a researcher who has spent decades studying procrastination, puts it perfectly:
“Procrastination is an emotion regulation problem, not a time management problem.”
We delay tasks because we’re trying to avoid negative emotions—anxiety, boredom, insecurity. Maybe you’re worried you won’t understand the material. Maybe you’re afraid of not doing well, so putting it off feels safer than trying and failing. Understanding this emotional component is the first step toward change.
Small Steps, Big Wins
One of the most effective ways to combat procrastination is to break your study sessions into manageable pieces. The thought of “studying for three hours” can be overwhelming, but what about “reviewing one chapter” or “practicing 10 vocabulary words”? Suddenly, the task feels less intimidating.
I learned this the hard way during grad school. Faced with a monstrous 400-page textbook, I felt paralyzed. Then a professor gave me a simple piece of advice: “Just open the book.” Not “read 50 pages,” not “finish the chapter.” Just open it. That tiny action was enough to break the inertia. Once I started, I often found myself thinking, “Well, since I’m here, I might as well read a few pages.” And those few pages turned into productive sessions.
This is where tools like QuizSmart can be incredibly helpful. Instead of telling yourself, “I need to study all of biology,” you can set a goal like, “I’ll complete one quiz on cell structure.” It turns a vague, scary task into something concrete and achievable. Plus, the instant feedback makes studying feel more like a game than a chore.
Designing Your Environment for Success
Our surroundings play a huge role in whether we procrastinate or stay focused. If your study space is cluttered, noisy, or full of distractions (I’m looking at you, Netflix), it’s no wonder your brain looks for an escape.
I once tutored a high school student named Maya who struggled terribly with procrastination. She’d try to study at her desk, but her phone was always within reach, and her family’s TV was loud enough to be distracting. We decided to experiment. She started going to the local library instead, leaving her phone in her bag, and using the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break. Within two weeks, her focus improved dramatically. She wasn’t just studying more; she was studying better.
Creating a dedicated study environment signals to your brain that it’s time to work. It doesn’t have to be a library—maybe it’s a quiet corner of your home, a coffee shop, or even a park bench. The key is consistency. Over time, your brain will learn: when I’m in this spot, it’s time to focus.
Real-World Application: From Panic to Progress
Let me tell you about Alex, a former student of mine who transformed his approach to studying. Alex was a chronic procrastinator. He’d wait until the night before exams to cram, pulling all-nighters that left him exhausted and retaining very little. His grades were okay, but he knew he was capable of more.
We worked together to implement a few key changes. First, he started using spaced repetition for memory improvement instead of last-minute cramming. He’d review material for just 20 minutes each day, which felt far less overwhelming than marathon sessions. Second, he began integrating active recall into his routine—using tools like QuizSmart to test himself regularly rather than passively rereading notes.
The shift was remarkable. Not only did his grades improve, but he felt less stressed and more in control. He told me, “I used to dread studying. Now it’s just part of my day, and I actually remember what I learn.”
You’ve Got This
Overcoming procrastination isn’t about becoming a perfectly disciplined robot. It’s about understanding yourself—your triggers, your habits, your emotions—and designing a system that works for you. Whether it’s breaking tasks into smaller steps, creating a better study environment, or using smart tools to make learning more engaging, the goal is progress, not perfection.
The next time you feel the urge to put something off, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: What am I avoiding? What’s one small step I can take right now? Remember, academic success isn’t about how much time you spend studying—it’s about how effectively you use that time.
So go ahead. Open the book. Start the quiz. Take that first step. Your future self will thank you.