How to Stop Procrastinating and Actually Get Stuff Done
Mocks are done, results are in, and now it’s time to lock in. With exams inching closer, it’s that point in the year where revision starts to feel real. Maybe your mock results have given you a clear idea of what you need to work on, or maybe they’ve left you feeling a little lost. Either way, the pressure is on but actually sitting down and getting started feels impossible!?
If you’ve ever stared at your to-do list, knowing you need to start but just… not doing it, you’re not alone. Procrastination isn’t just about being lazy (seriously, you care about your grades, or you wouldn’t be stressing about them in the first place). It’s often about feeling overwhelmed, not knowing where to start, or even wanting everything to be perfect before you begin. Perfectionism, anxiety, burnout — these things can all make it harder to take that first step. But the good news? There are ways to break through that mental block and get stuff done and I’ve got just the tips to help!
1. The 5-Minute Rule
If a task feels too big and daunting, tell yourself you’ll just do it for five minutes. Five minutes of reading, five minutes of writing, five minutes of flashcards. That’s it. More often than not, once you’ve started, you’ll find it easier to keep going. Getting started is the hardest part, but this trick helps bypass the mental resistance, you just need to get the ball rolling.
2. Break It Down
A lot of procrastination comes from looking at a huge task and thinking, where do I even start? Instead of thinking “I need to revise chemistry,” break it into something smaller like “go over acid-base reactions” or “do three past paper questions.” The more specific and manageable your tasks, the less intimidating they’ll feel.
3. Study With a Friend (a.k.a. Body Doubling)
If you struggle to focus alone, try studying with a friend or even use online “study with me” videos. Just having someone else around — whether virtually or in person — can keep you accountable and make it harder to zone out. Plus, explaining topics to each other is a great way to check your understanding!
4. The ‘First Draft’ Mindset
Perfectionism is one of procrastination’s best friends. If you’re putting off writing an essay or making notes because you want them to be perfect, remind yourself that the first version doesn’t need to be polished — it just needs to exist. You can always refine it later, but you can’t improve something that isn’t there.
5. Use a Timer (But Make It Fun)
The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of work, 5-minute break) is great, but if that doesn’t work for you, experiment with different timings. Maybe you focus better with 40-minute deep work sessions or 15-minute sprints. You can even make it fun by using an app with cool visuals, or rewarding yourself with a fun treat after a productive session.
6. Make It as Easy as Possible to Start
If you know you need to revise tomorrow, set up your study space tonight. Get your notes out, put your stationery in place, and bookmark any resources you’ll need. That way, when you sit down, everything’s ready to go and you don’t waste energy on setting up. (Because let’s be real, “I need to clean my desk first” can turn into an hour-long distraction.)
7. Romanticise Your Study Sessions
Sometimes, a little ✨aesthetic✨ can go a long way. Light a candle, make a nice drink, use cute stationery — whatever makes studying feel a tiny bit more enjoyable. If your workspace is a place you want to be, you’ll find it easier to get started.
Procrastination is tough, and honestly? I still struggle with it sometimes too. School is hard, revision is draining, and motivation doesn’t always come easily. But overcoming procrastination isn’t about suddenly becoming super disciplined overnight — it’s about figuring out little tricks that work for you. Some of these strategies might help, some might not, and that’s okay! The important thing is to keep trying.
Take it one step at a time, be kind to yourself, and remember: progress is progress, no matter how small. You got this!