Things to Learn While Procrastinating

Lack of motivation doesn’t mean being unproductive.

by Jenny Liu

Photograph by Quinn Bryant

Endless procrastination can leave you feeling emotionally and physically drained, but there’s a better way to spend that time. 

Procrastination happens because students are trying to escape from the pressures of life (personal or academic), or even simply out of boredom. But doomscrolling, the most common form of procrastination, can actually increase your stress levels. In fact, it has the ability to steal away your most precious asset—time. 

Soon, your internal dread clicks in, and you realize the day is over, and you have done nothing productive. Instead, here are a few activities that will keep your brain active and not enter a flow state where it gets sucked into a screen all day. 

The first activity is exercise or meditation. It can help reset your mindset before you dig into the task you've been dreading. A quick stroll around campus, a few minutes of yoga, and even 20-45 minutes on the treadmill at FitRec will allow your brain to release stress-reducing hormones like endorphins. This can help you physically decrease the tensions you feel in your body and also help you regulate your anxious mood. 

But if the day is as gloomy as your mood, and the recurring Boston rain keeps you indoors, look no further than doing some arts and crafts in your cozy dorm. Arts and crafts activities provide a hands-on way to stay engaged without relying on endless digital stimulation. You can find drawing references on Pinterest, origami instructions on YouTube, and even invite your roommate to do a painting session with you! Not only does art relax your brain, but it can also give you a sense of accomplishment after you finish your masterpiece. Overall, it will make your time feel well spent rather than wasted.

Reading invites you into a different kind of stimulation, one that sharpens your critical thinking skills and even allows you to add words to your personal dictionary. Whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, or even poetry, reading can strengthen your imagination and allow you to be updated on global events. More so, it's a calming activity that you can do both indoors and outdoors. You can either read a book snuggled up in a fluffy blanket or on the BU Beach, enjoying the sunny weather.

Last but not least, going on an exploration trip around campus or Boston with your best girlfriends can turn any ordinary day into something incredibly memorable. Some great activities to explore include: grabbing a coffee on campus together, visiting museums using your free student admissions, and indulging yourselves in a shopping trip at the Prudential Center. It will hopefully remind you that there is a life away from the pressure and chaos of academic life. 

Ultimately, breaking away from mindless procrastination doesn’t require drastic change, just small and intentional choices. By replacing doomscrolling with more meaningful activities, you will leave feeling fulfilled and in control of your life!