Procrastination Station: How I Beat Burnout As An Avid Procrastinator

Burnout seems like a nonnegotiable when it comes to college, especially as an upperclassman. From applying to internships, studying for exams, going to club meetings, and having leadership positions in said clubs, college can be overwhelming. I myself have experienced my fair share of burnout and feeling overwhelmed, which definitely gets worse the more I procrastinate. However, procrastination, at least in small doses, is also unavoidable in college and in life. So, for those of us that maybe struggle with time management and procrastination more than the average person, here are some of my best tips for feeling less burnt out and more like you actually have a life outside of school and work. 

Do a little bit everyday

This may seem like the oldest trick in the book, but I truly believe that doing a little bit of even your most difficult school or work tasks leading up to their due dates helps alleviate burnout. It may seem impossible for the most chronic procrastinators, but a good trick I tell myself is to do even five minutes of this task a day. Even though the majority of the project or task may not be done on its due date, this sets the precedent for you to procrastinate a little bit less each time you have a difficult task ahead of you. 

Do more with less

It’s OK to slack off from time to time on tasks or events that are optional; you just need to have your priorities clear and well defined for yourself. This strategy may be counterintuitive, but it truly has made me feel so much better and capable of doing everythng I need to do in a week. Whether that means studying for 30 minutes less the week for an exam one day, or skipping a club meeting one week to study for a midterm or complete a project, I truly believe that some days we can’t do it all. And that’s OK. I have found that some days, I truly cannot do everything I set out to do, and that’s fine. It might be disappointing or you might think to yourself “What if this becomes a pattern?”, but I have found that slacking off the tiniest bit has made me that much more productive the following days. Sometimes we need to shift our plans to catch up, and that’s truly OK. 

Make time for friends and family, even if it means canceling plans 

Along the same line as my previous piece of advice, but connecting with friends, family, and other people you care about is vital for feeling more mentally stable in college. Whether that means planning a time once a week to facetime your mom or hometown friend, feeling connected to your favorite people is so so important in college. It’s said that even a twelve minute conversation with a good friend can change your life, so why not take time out of your busy schedule to experience those changes and potentially grow as a person?

Take time for yourself 

Above all, you need to take time for yourself. Get off your devices, get outside, and connect with yourself. This can even be as simple as taking a quick walk around campus or reading your favorite book. Anything helps! Rather than constantly doing something for someone else or completing assignments that might seem like they have no purpose (even though they definitely do), take time to recharge and unwind. I have found that just getting offline for 30 minutes has made me feel so much better about my life and myself, beating burnout one minute at a time. 

Have some semblance of a routine

Lastly, and maybe a more obvious piece of advice, having a routine is super important for avoiding overwhelm. Even if its the most basic routine ever (like drinking a glass of water when you first wake up and then reading ten pages of a book before you go to bed), having a routine has helped me feel a bit more put together. It makes me feel a bit more in control of my life, and makes even the most unorganized people feel a bit more solid. 

Being a college student, especially now, can be super overwhelming, but also incredibly fun. There’s so much to do in college and not enough time to do it, but my philosophy is that you can truly do it all, you just have to have your priorities straight. So, if you want to feel a bit more in control and mentally stable despite maybe overcommitting yourself more than unusual, pick up one of these strategies. Who knows, maybe you will feel a bit better about your life and priorities. 

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