I have trouble with my school work due to procrastinating. And my anxiety always gets in the way. How do I get things done?

I had the complete same issue as my intense procrastination caused me so much stress later on in school. It became a cycle of panicking about doing something so I’d put it off for ages, then because I left it until last minute I would become so much more stressed out. A lot of the time, I still ended up not doing it. As it came to the very end of the GCSE years, I basically messed the majority of my grades up due to the endless cycle of not caring enough to do it but also caring too much to the point where I’d think about it all the time. I eventually realised my solution of taking a whole massive scenario and breaking it down into smaller ones. For example, persuading yourself to get an essay started without thinking about everything you have to do would be simpler by just saying to yourself “I’m only sitting up”. Then, “I’m only walking over to my computer”. All these tiny steps in your brain will hopefully seem a lot less stressful to think about and you’d take baby steps along the way to eventually get things done. Like, “I’m only writing the first sentence”. Unfortunately, I didn’t realise that this helped me until quite late into my stress but I really hope that it helps you. I find it’s a weird thing to do but I guess you try anything you can. Breaking things down ended up at least settling my stressful thoughts down a little bit and ensuring my procrastinating side of me won’t see it as a massive task.

Just try to do a little bit at a time. I struggle with procrastination as well, and I know it can be very hard to work past. Try finding something that you enjoy that you can reward yourself with, and take a lot of breaks. Any progress is good progress! So if you're writing a paper, just sit down and write a few sentences, then take a break and do something that's more enjoyable for you. If you just return to work on it for a few minutes at a time, it will end up being done before you know it!

I had this same problem and still struggle with it at work and with personal chores and errands. I have found that writing down what I need to do whenever something comes to me (or I find out about it) reduces my anxiety. I know that I have done the first step which is putting it on paper (I use a physical planner and a task app) to do and a due date, as relevant. If there isn't really a due date then I will write the task in the monthly notes and the "someday" list in my app. The next thing I do is try to be intentional about how I spend my time. I struggle with planning and routines so I just try to keep myself busy. That way, I'm already "in the mood" to get things done and if I can see time to do something, I decide I will do it then - - or if the inspiration hits/I think to do something, I just do it! The hardest part is usually getting started, so if I can't be "in the mood" already, I don't wait for it to strike me, I really do try to do it when the thought crosses my mind. I've also found that if I think of doing something (or even writing a task down) and then don't do it that it's the not doing it that causes anxiety; the constant remembering going on in the back of my mind and the building up of other things that are distressing me. I might even have to do some deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation first to calm down and then get started.

I'm sorry to hear that lovely! I understand that procrastinating combined with anxiety is the literal worse. I have trouble staying focused and I always tend to procrastinate doing my work too. I definitely know what it's like to get in trouble because of this! Procrastinating makes me more anxious, and when I'm anxious I don't do work, which makes it worse. I try to mitigate this by stopping the cycle before it has a chance to start and negatively affect me. I've tried many techniques but the ones that I've found most useful is finding a study space (not your bed!) where there aren't a lot of distractions (I tend to get distracted by objects around me so my study space is literally just a desk with nothing around it) and closing all the other tabs that I don't need on my computer. I then set 30-minute timers with the goal being to do work for those 30 minutes. After that, I take a 10-minute break to walk around, get some water and then I repeat the process until I finish all of my work. Another technique that works for me is giving my phone (or any possibly distracting thing) to a friend or putting it in another room so that I won't have the urge to look at it. I also find that putting yourself in an environment where everyone else is studying such as a library also helps, because since everyone is working so hard I also do the same. All in all, it's about finding the methods that work best for you. I hope that you're able to find ways to increase your productivity and lessen your anxiety!

I struggled with the same thing in college. I've found that if I just sit down and do whatever the next thing on my list is, no matter how small, it helps me begin productively. I remind myself that I don't have to do things perfectly, I just have to do them. Procrastination can often come from perfectionism and a fear of failure, which leads to an unwillingness to start. If you get even one small thing done, you will feel so much better afterward. Focus on how good it will feel to cross that thing off your list.

This might seem hard or even impossible, but try not to procrastinate. Instead, try and get your work done the day you receive it so then, you will have one less thing in your way later on. I am also guilty of procrasinating and I have come to realize that if I procrasinate, then the work will only continue to pile up, and all of the sudden, I have a huge mountain of schoolwork that I haven't even started. Then, I all of the sudden feel anxious, stressed, and tired. Getting your work done as soon as possible could prevent this cycle from continuing. If needed, you can always create incentives in order to motivate yourself to do your work, like after finishing math and english, maybe get a snack, or after finishing social studies, take your dog for a quick walk, or whatever you might enjoy.

Try going small steps at a time, you can always set up rewards or prizes when you accomplish something, my experience is to create a schedule and follow it, and it always helps if you're motivated to do it. By the way, ask for help if you think your anxiety is too much to handle and distracting you from learning. School can be tough sometimes but I think as long as you focus in class and try your best school can be amazing too! And lastly, don't forget to make positive friends that help you study along the way! Best wishes, Kite Runner

I had a lot of trouble with procrastinating with school work often held me back. The best way to overcome it is to find a way of studying that suits you best! For me I had a textbook and some ambiance on in the background. I kept my phone locked and gave myself many rewards for studying. This was best for me but everyone is different. Take little goals instead of the bigger picture. It's always good to find what suits you best in terms of studying and anxiety. Things can be very tough and school isn't easy but there's always support there.

I am not exactly allowed to give you advice but I am here to talk to you and empathize and let you know from a personal perspective that it does get better and it is not a permanent feeling. I used to deal with procrastination from a first hand and it was tough. and I struggled but it gets better and I have been able to work on that and grow from that time in my life. Now I am always on top of assignments and able to complete them without distraction even with my ADD. so things do get better. I created some skills to help me stay focused for a period of time. I'd set an alarm for 30-45 minutes at a time. Then take 10 minute break. I hope this helps you some-good luck!

I often find it helpful to set up deadlines for things, even if there is none set by the professor. I make a list and feel better when I cross it out or check it off as done. The more of a schedule that you have the better you become at keeping it. Scheduling out your time will not only help you with homework but later with projects and even work-related projects. Procrastination in itself can be a skill worth having because as you learn the consequence of falling behind when life happens it can be really useful to get things done in a hurry just in the nick of time. I am also a big procrastinator so welcome to the club.

I would go for a walk and then write in my daily planner and I would focus on the assignments that needed to be done first. I would focus on my hard work first. Then I slowly work my way through the easy work as well. I mean it was easy for me to remember and I would focus on my grades and get help from my professors and I would pass my exam and my tasks were easily filled and done. I would call my professors and let them know that I done all my homework. I was proud of myself.

From my personal experience, setting up a schedule for yourself helps a lot. I've had times where I would have to write an entire essay in a maximum of 4 hours because I was procrastinating so much. But, taking some time to lay out a schedule can help. Choose specific days to put milestones for your work on. This will help you take your time to work on your school work and help you be able to get your work finished in a reasonable amount of time. Also, taking breaks can be really good for you too! I hope that this helps someone out there.

I have dealt with this issue a lot in my life. Even as a college senior, I continue to struggle at times. My biggest piece of advice is to set aside a certain time every day (or however many days you need to in order to get the work done) and clear out any distractions from where you are. If you are working on school work at home in your bedroom, maybe switching to another room will help. Or, if you are getting distracted by objects like your phone, it may be a good idea to put the phone in another room or turn it off altogether.

I understand how stressful school can be, especially as a procrastinator. From personal experience, my best friend has been time management. Although time management doesn't come naturally, with a well planned schedule and motivation, It will become easier and easier. Keep in mind, this too can be stressful for some people. Sometimes, when the going gets too tough, it's best to take a small step back and reflect. Find where the source of your stress is, and build up from there. Even then, it's okay to walk away for a minute. Take a break from everything that's weighing you down, and do something that lifts you back up.

First, it is always necessary to think about what is causing the anxiety most. Is it a presentation for history class or an upcoming essay? Very probably there is more than one thing that is causing anxiety. In either case, it is important to tackle each task one by one. While its very easy to put the task aside and procrastinate, doing so will cause the workload to quickly accumulate. And this will cause STRESS! What I personally do is writeup a list of the tasks I have to do. I then set goals for my self for that week. Finishing an entire essay in one day is impossible however, by aiming to finish a paragraph each day, it is possible to finish the essay in a week. The same strategy can be applied to assignments of any subject.Also, make sure to plan a reward for yourself after completing each small goal.

Relax and believe in yourself and know it’s something to work around, time is a running thing, school is multiple hours a day for one, give yourself and mind release and breathe and understand it’s ok to feel pressure or anxiety but fix those other things causing it, tone them down, find your calm and happy place. Don’t let your emotions get in the way, think of it as in the end it will be less anxiety stacked up because as humans we procrastinate and when we get things done we feel better, start with something simple like making your bed in the morning and smile at those little things to make it more complete, cancel other distractions out to get those problems and emotions built up out of the way! You’ve got this! ☀️

I can relate to this problem. My thoughts keep getting in the way of me doing my work. I myself have tried listening to classical music but that ended up distracting me. One thing I find really helpful is to write all of your thoughts down on a piece of paper. That way, you have an outlet for them. Also, record a time lapse of you doing your homework on your phone! That way, you wouldn't have to use your phone and you've got a video of yourself in the end doing your homework. It sounds absurd but do try it as it may work for you. Lastly, listen to library/fireplace/rain sounds on youtube while doing your homework. I discovered this recently but it has worked so far. This is an alternative to listening to music.

Set a timer for five minutes and try to get as much work done in that small time span as possible. You will probably want to continue after the timer rings. This is because getting started is often the hardest part of completing work. Another tip I have to managing anxiety is to remind yourself that not every day needs to be productive. Some days, you won't want to do any work and that's fine. Sometimes I used to push myself to do work even when I needed a break, and the quality of my work decreased. That's why taking mental health days helps a lot.

Anxiety can be a useful tool in giving us the push that we need to get stuff finished in a designated time frame. In my opinion the longer you put something off the more stress it builds. You could try doing your homework as soon as it is due that way the stress of you doing your homework is minimal because you are not stretching it out over a prolonged period of time. So I guess what I am trying to say is it may be possible that the procrastination might be causing the anxiety. But trust me you are not alone! I think lots of people caused them self anxiety by putting things off that need to be done, At the last minute.

First, you need to analyze the situation and learn to notice when you’re beginning to get anxious. Notice things like physical changes in your body, just knowing when it’s happening is a great tool. Then, calm down take a breather and see if the situation is worth the anxiety. Usually at this point, you realizes that there’s an easy way out rather than having to cope with anxiety. Once you feel like you’ve tackled anxiety, you can work on the procrastination. Typically, you’re asked to do your school work as far away from any kind of distractions as possible. Sit somewhere alone and quite, and try to not get distracted by things around you. Sitting away from anything of the sort is great help

I hear you saying that procrastination and anxiety are causing you to have trouble with your schoolwork. These feelings can be a difficult to overcome. We have a anxiety resource available to you if you'd like to begin to manage your feelings of anxiety. You are most important person in this situation, so practicing self-care is vital to managing this feelings you have. In my experience, doing calming and relaxing exercises have helped me to relieve feelings of anxiety. Can you tell me more about how you feel when anxiety begins to obstruct you from doing what you set out to do?

One thing that has helped is setting manageable goals by writing what I need to do on paper, like a checklist. For example, let's say today is Monday, and I have one paper, 5 homework assignments, and 2 tests to study for, all due on Friday. For each weekday, you could set a goal on how much you need to get done in order to have everything turned in on time. For monday, you could get the research done for the paper as well as two homework assignments, and 30 minutes of studying for each test. The next day, you could write half the paper, one homework assignment, and 30 minutes of studying for each test. Essentially, the goal is to get everything done in time, while chunking away at it in a manageable pace. Another thing that helps is to discuss with the teacher/professor regarding your anxiety. Its hard to open up, but communication is very important when dealing with anxiety. Sometimes, teachers won't be understanding, and that's when you can talk to the school counselor or school administration. You can register with disability services for anxiety, that way you can get extra time on assignments and tests.

I know how that feels, I struggle with ADHD myself and it is hard to get school work done. Here are a few suggestions: you can work for 5 or 10 minutes really hard and then give yourself a 5 min break and then again work and then break; it really helps to get things done. Another thing you can do is to create a to-do list and start with things that are easier so that you can be motivated and less distracted to do more school work. Another thing you can do is to do it with friends that will help you stay focussed. I hope it helps.

I think part of the reason we procrastinate is because we find our school work to be overwhelming or too big of a task to accomplish. So, we put it off, but that only makes us feel more anxious that we're not getting anything done. I find that a useful way to beat procrastination is making to-do lists and breaking your school work down into smaller chunks or parts. Breaking it down can help you feel less anxious and will also allow you to manage your time better. So, you can do a little everyday until it's all completed.

You can try to make a list of what you need to do, for example studying for a test, completing an assignment, finishing a presentation etc. Prioritize what you need to do, which means that you can write the most important tasks that you have and move on to the less important ones. Making lists will help you see clearly the work that needs to be one. After that, you can write down how much time you have to spent on each task. For example, you may need 2 hours to study for a test and then another hour to prepare your presentation. Make sure that you frequently take quick breaks- they are much needed! During those breaks, you can take some deep breaths, listen to relaxing music for a little or make a call to a friend- just keep it short! Good luck!

The best way to get rid of procrastinating is to use study aids and methods, like studying for 25mins and relaxing for 10 mins. Its really helpful and gives you a chance to use a timer to keep you on track. Also, using a study planner is one of the best ways to help keep you on track, it breaks down your tasks to only one thing at a time so tasks are not so overwhelming. As for the anxiety try to ground yourself when this happens, light some candles, or have relaxing lighting will really help you tackle the school work. I hope this helps. You can also look into other things that will help you to not be anxious.

Oh my gosh, procrastinating may seem good, but it destroys long-term goals. Also, anxiety is tough, too. Here are some things to do to stop it: -Forgive yourself for past procrastinating. -Promise a reward to yourself if you do ________ in __ hours. -Commit to whatever you are doing. -Ask a family member or friend to check in on you every week/month/day. -Minimize any distractions. -Focus on the goal that you have ahead of you. What is it? What's the reward? How long will it take? -Write reminders to yourself to do it. -Aim to do all the work by a certain time and then relax for the rest of the day once it is all done.

In my experience, I’ve found that creating a planned timetable/schedule really helps, also include rest breaks, sports/hobbies, and save a big chunk of your time for self care on the schedule. Setting up a checklist on a whiteboard or notepad with your goals for the week is also really helpful as getting to tick or cross off something off that list gives a a sense of achieving and also having that visual aid allows us not to forget tasks or procrastinate. I’ve also found that creating a reward system helps for an example giving yourself a chocolate after finishing one subject or goal.

Ah, the wall of procrastination. I know that one very well. Here are a few tips which I hope will be helpful to you.... * Take small steps to get yourself to start. That's the important thing - just starting. For example, take your book out and open it. Then, take the next step - for example, writing the date. Then do the first question. Then the next. And so on.... * Have a neat workspace. Work in a space that you are proud of! Try to keep your desk/table as clutter-free as possible. Keeping it nice and clear can be tricky, but try to find a space for everything. Add a pen holder, or an old tin, to keep things tidier. * Make a list of the things that you need to do. This might overwhelm you at first, but you've got this! It will help you to realise what you need to get done. Then, number your list in order of what needs to get done first. Or, you could do the little tasks first to get them out of the way. You may find that you enjoy ticking items off; it can be very satisfying. * Add pictures or items to your workspace that will motivate you and make you feel a sense of calm and happiness. * Reward yourself after you have been productive. * Remember to take breaks in between! Have intervals of doing work, it can be an hour or 30 minutes, or even 20 minutes! Telling yourself that you are going to sit down and do some work for 20 minutes is less overwhelming and is less likely to de-motivate you. * Plan ahead. Write down important dates, or have a calendar so that you can stay on track and not fall too far behind. Remember, procrastination is completely normal! We all do it. Unfortunately, as guilty as it makes us feel sometimes, it's so much easier to avoid completing tasks in our lives. Just try to get a little bit done at a time - after all, it's more than what you would have done! You know what you need to do. It's not always easy to do it, but if you make small changes and take small steps towards it, you may find it slightly easier.

One thing that I have found is the more I procrastinate, the more stress and anxiety I feel. I think the best thing you can do is set up small, achievable goals that you can get done each day to help motivate you. I find that this helps to relieve some of my anxiety and after I get the small tasks done, I am more likely to keep working and get more done. I also find that it is good to set time limits. I set a timer on my phone for 20-30 minutes where I constantly work on school work for that time period and then I take a 5-10 minute break. I hope that this helps.