Stuck in a Procrastination Loop? Here's What Helps Me
Yuna, International Student Ambassador | Oct 14, 2026
Have you ever been stuck in a procrastination loop? Previously, I often procrastinated and started assignments at the very last minute. At that time, I thought that was my style to finish my assignments. However, once I started taking bachelor’s-level classes in the third year at LCC, the amount of material I needed to learn increased, and I had to revise my study style. In this blog post, I will share how to create a “system” that helps me study even when I am not feeling motivated.
Make To-do Lists on a Sticky Note
Every Monday, I get a clear picture of everything I need to do that week. I write down the sections of the textbook I need to read, my assignments, and their due dates on sticky notes, and I go over the content of each assignment. I stick those notes on my laptop so I can see them at any time, and as I finish each task, I cross it off. Crossing them off makes it look like my to-do list is being completed, which gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Give a Small Reward to Yourself
Treat yourself! Deciding that “once I finish this task, I’ll do…” can give your motivation a big boost. The reward doesn’t have to be anything big—small treats like these are perfectly fine:
- Crochetting
- Eating a snack
- Lazing around on the grass
- Watching a movie
All are great options.
Create Your Own Study Routine
Instead of thinking, “I’ll study when I'm motivated,” I decided, “I’ll study during this time.” For the Spring quarter, I made it a rule to stay at school until 8:00 p.m. every Tuesday to study, including at the library after class. Once I made this a habit, I was able to naturally increase my study time without having to rely on motivation.
While I’ve become much more systematic in my approach to studying now, I wasn’t always that way. However, a few small adjustments changed the way I study. Rather than waiting for motivation to strike, it’s important to create an environment that makes it easy for you to get started. I hope the strategies I’ve shared here will be of some help to you. Thank you for reading to the end!