Procrastination habits in young people

Despite understanding the value of time, many young people still frequently procrastinate on important matters that directly affect their future. Procrastination is no longer an isolated phenomenon but is becoming a common habit, silently creating pressure in their studies, work, and even crucial turning points in their youth.

When "I'll do it tomorrow" becomes a habit

At 22, LPA, a final-year student at a university in Hanoi , is facing a crucial milestone: completing her IELTS exam to qualify for graduation. However, that plan has been repeatedly postponed. In her third year, a packed schedule of classes, internships, and part-time jobs has put her language studies on hold. Every time she thinks about studying for the IELTS, she tells herself she needs to prepare more thoroughly before starting. “Initially, I thought I could take my time studying, since graduation was still quite a while away. Then, one thing led to another, and I always felt it wasn't the right time to study seriously,” PA recounted.

Throughout her university years, PA consistently completed her courses on time and maintained a high academic record. However, with a long-term goal like the language proficiency test, starting over proved more difficult than anticipated. She often waited for a period of "really free time" to study intensively, but such time rarely appeared. Only in her final semester did PA realize she only had a few months to complete the certificate if she wanted to graduate on time. She was forced to enroll in an intensive evening exam preparation course after her internship. Working during the day, studying in the evening, and then rushing home to do homework and practice tests. Her daily routine became much more hectic than initially planned. "That's when I realized that if I had started earlier, everything would have been so much easier," PA admitted.

LPA is still struggling to find the time to complete the English language certificate.

The pressure doesn't just come from the exams, but also from the feeling of regret for letting too much time slip away. Having to race against time makes the learning process more stressful, even though the initial goal could have been achieved in a much easier way.

PAT, a third-year student at a university in Thanh Hoa, began his internship feeling lethargic. Instead of proactively contacting the internship organization to start working immediately, PAT adopted a "I'll figure it out later" attitude. The internship lasted three months, but for the first two months, he didn't go to the organization to meet his supervisor or work on his project. Each time his parents reminded him, PAT just smiled and said, "There's still plenty of time." Only when he looked at his schedule and realized the deadline was less than a month away did he become truly anxious. The workload overwhelmed him, from contacting the internship organization again to developing the outline and completing the project... everything had to be done in a rush. Eventually, PAT admitted, "If only I had started earlier, things might have been different."

The story of PA and AT is not uncommon in a university setting. For many students, goals such as language certifications, professional skills, or career plans are often set early on, but the actual implementation is constantly delayed.

Procrastination sometimes starts with very small decisions: skipping a class today because I feel tired, putting my plans on hold this week because I'm busy with other things... These seemingly insignificant choices, when repeated many times, gradually form a familiar cycle: knowing what needs to be done – procrastination – increasing pressure – then racing against time.

Procrastination from a psychological perspective

In modern life, where young people face numerous choices, goals, and pressures, procrastination on important tasks seems to be becoming increasingly common. However, every act of procrastination comes with a price: pent-up pressure, decreased work quality, and sometimes missed opportunities.

According to experts, procrastination among young people doesn't simply stem from laziness or irresponsibility, but is a problem related to psychological factors and self-management skills. Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hoa, lecturer at the Faculty of Education , Hong Duc University, stated: “Procrastination is a common psychological phenomenon, manifested by hesitation and delay in carrying out a task or making a decision, causing work to be prolonged, or even left unfinished, compared to the initial goal. Many young people today are not without goals. They often have fairly clear directions regarding their studies, careers, and future. However, a significant gap still exists between goals and actions.”

According to Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hoa, modern psychological studies show that the cause of this situation lies not only in time management skills but also in the management of each individual's emotions. A new task, especially challenging or high-pressure jobs, often causes young people to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, boredom, or fear of failure. When faced with these emotions, many people tend to postpone starting the work as a way to avoid immediate discomfort. While this postponement may provide temporary relief, in the long run, it increases pressure as work piles up, deadlines approach, and the workload grows larger.

Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hoa, M.Sc., argues that procrastination, in the long run, increases pressure as work piles up .

Furthermore, the fear of failure is also one of the reasons why many young people hesitate to start a new job. In today's society, with increasingly high expectations from family, school, and society, many young people feel pressured to achieve success or meet certain standards. The anxiety about not being able to meet those expectations makes them hesitant and lacking in confidence when starting a new task or pursuing long-term goals.

Another reason pointed out by experts is that the goals set are not truly aligned with one's abilities and circumstances. Many young people set ambitious goals for the future but fail to identify specific steps to achieve them. Without clear short-term goals, individuals easily fall into a state of uncertainty, unsure where to start, when to begin, and what preparations are needed. This leads to delays or interruptions in the course of action.

Furthermore, self-discipline and self-management skills also play a crucial role. According to Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hoa, a lack of personal discipline is one of the common causes of procrastination among young people. When unable to maintain a regular work routine, many people easily get caught up in entertainment activities or distractions, causing the initial plan to fall behind schedule.

Moreover, modern society, with its many opportunities and choices, makes the decision-making process more difficult. Young people today may face numerous options regarding their field of study, career, workplace, or future development path. With so many choices, they must consider many factors simultaneously, such as benefits, risks, costs, and opportunities. This can easily lead to confusion, hesitation, and a prolonged decision-making process.

Procrastination not only affects academic and work performance but also negatively impacts the mental health of young people. Regularly leaving tasks until the last minute easily leads to stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Over time, repeated failures in completing tasks can diminish self-confidence, affecting motivation and future career development.

“Overcoming procrastination isn't simply about rearranging work schedules; it also requires young people to learn how to manage their emotions, improve personal discipline, and set achievable goals. These are also crucial skills that help individuals better adapt to the increasingly dynamic and competitive learning and working environment of modern society,” shared Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hoa, M.Sc.

Nam Phuong (Contributor)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thoi-quen-tri-hoan-o-nguoi-tre-281775.htm