Every college freshman struggles with procrastination to some extent. Whether you have a major problem with it or an occasional issue with it, getting unstuck can be challenging. Why? Procrastinating once makes procrastinating again easier.

For some students, procrastinating can even become a little addicting. The rush of finishing something last minute before a deadline can be weirdly satisfying (and at the same time be miserable). However, procrastination can limit your opportunities and hold you back from reaching your potential.

So how do you stop procrastinating and force yourself to get things done when you simply don’t want to? Below are 3 steps to help you solve your procrastination problem.

Recognize the root of the issue.

Your procrastination problem is probably a symptom of a deeper problem. Once you see it as a symptom and not the root of your problem, you can start getting answers. 

So do you know why you procrastinate your schoolwork? No one person is alike, but many procrastinators tend to procrastinate because deep down they’re perfectionists. They’d rather not start if the end product isn’t going to show their best work. They’d rather not try than try and “fail.”

In high school, you could sometimes get by with putting off projects until you’re feeling motivated. In college, you quickly get behind and lose points when you keep putting off a project, a paper, or studying for a test. You can’t put off things until later and earn excellent grades.

You’ve likely experienced this phenomenon. Putting off work for another time so you can do your best job inevitably leaves you too little time to do your best job. As a result, you turn in work that is partially done or inadequately completed and your grades suffer. This cycle continues until you decide to break it.

The root of your issue might not be perfectionism, but you need to do some digging and see what it is. Ask yourself these questions to help expose the root issue:

• How do I feel right before I decide to procrastinate? Why?

• What is my motivation for putting off an assignment? Why?

• How long have I been struggling with procrastination? When did it begin?

• Am I constantly exhausted, skipping meals, and feeling stiff and immobile? How might this impact my ability to work on difficult assignments?

See the good quality behind your root issue.

Now that you’ve exposed the root issue, you might recognize it as a good quality. That’s right, the root issue might be a good thing that’s become a bad thing, because it’s out of balance.

For example, wanting to do your best is a good quality. This shows a desire to excel, to perfect, to work hard until the product shines. Out of balance, however, “doing your best” can become perfectionism—an unhealthy characteristic that holds you back. 

Think of a friend who is a fun person. They’re a blast to be around. They’re always the “life of the party.” Everybody wants to be their friend. Sometimes, this friend’s strength though can become their weakness. They sometimes don’t know when to stop socializing or when to be serious. This good quality can become a bad quality when it is out of balance.

So how can you identify the good quality behind your root issue? Here are some questions to help:

• What could be admirable about this root issue?

• How could this root issue be a good thing?

• What positive qualities do I see in this root issue?

After you identify the good part of this quality, take a step back. Ask yourself what you can do to find better balance and keep this quality in check. (And keep reading…)

Experiment to find balance.

You’re not going to “crack the code” to your procrastination overnight. You may need to try several different methods before you find success. Ridding yourself of procrastination probably won’t be a short journey, but it will be worthwhile and freeing.

There are many different ways to tackle this out-of-balance habit, but here are a few suggestions to help:

• Talk to an academic/first-year advisor. These people are one of your best resources on campus. They not only can be good people to discuss your out-of-balance habit with but they can also be excellent sources of advice. (They’ve helped tons of students who have similar struggles.)

• Find a new motivation. Self-motivation is hard to muster up when you’re beyond exhausted. In other words, sometimes self-motivation isn’t enough. Ask yourself what motivates you. What energizes you or refreshes you? Is it hanging out with friends? Is it getting off campus? Is it having time to read a book or go for a run? Identifying your motivation can help give you something to look forward to.

• Try different approaches. There are many wonderful study techniques that can help you avoid burnout and get things done. Consider trying the Pomodoro technique, using the Cornell note-taking system, and other simple tactics that can help you focus and accomplish needed homework.

Procrastination is likely at its core a good habit turned bad. It will take work to correct and balance this habit, but trust me it will be worth it. You will find yourself freed up to do your best job and find more enjoyment in your classes. That final destination is worth the journey.