As a student, I find myself constantly saying, “I’ll do later”

As a student, I plan my day with good intentions.

“I will wake up early, cover a good portion of my syllabus, complete my homework, and follow a proper routine, with time being left out for playing as well.” But the outcome? I wake up late, barely catching up on assignments, and struggling to meet the deadline.

 In a world full of distractions such as social media, YouTube, digital games, and platforms, I can admit that almost everyone goes through a term known as ‘procrastinating’. You feel like you have a well-planned and organised day ahead, but as time passes, you find yourself lying in bed, scrolling reels and shorts as if you have forgotten about all the delayed work, all the incomplete projects you must present tomorrow.

 As time passes, you finally realise the potential you have wasted. Repeat. Despite knowing the consequences, the same series of actions is repeated. At times, it feels like I am stuck in a trap, which I don’t know how to get out of. This feels so new. Why does it even happen, even though at the end of the day, I know I’ll be left with a pile of incomplete work and cramming the day before the exam?

Anyway, leave that as it may be, what even is procrastination? Procrastination is the act of delaying your work despite knowing the terrible consequences. Saying, “I’ll do it later.”

 This is usually caused by dopamine, a hormone produced in the brain, also known as the ‘feel-good’ hormone. It plays a vital role in the brain’s reward system. As you scroll shorts, dopamine is released. That’s why watching reels feels low effort but at the same time, very rewarding. It keeps one entertained every second without giving the time to even process what you’ve watched. 

Apart from that, students procrastinate due to several other reasons, such as parent pressure, fear of failure, lack of motivation, and poor time management. Sometimes, students also delay work because they feel overwhelmed by the pressure to perform well, making studies feel burdensome rather than fun.

But how to overcome this?

Students can overcome procrastination with better time management, maintaining a routine, and remaining consistent. Give your day a good start, fight that feeling of picking up your phone first thing in the morning. Maintain a positive environment and find better alternatives for boredom cure. Such as listening to music, going on morning and evening walks, playing outside, etc. Try your best to maximise your productivity. Break your study material into small parts, and after completion of each part, give yourself a small rewar,d like taking a five-minute break. This will boost your motivation and keep you engaged with studies. 

At the end of the day, procrastination is not just about unfinished work, but about missed opportunities and unnecessary stress. As a student, I am slowly realising that every time I delay my responsibilities, I delay my own growth. Choosing to begin, even imperfectly, is a small step that can lead to confidence, growth, and self-belief.

By: Haritika Tripathi

Class VII

Apeejay School, Kharghar