After a long stressful day of school, the last thing I would want to do is homework. In fact, I would love to just eat and watch my Netflix show or even take a nice, long nap. It’s really nice until you wake up at 10 p.m. with stacks of homework that needs to be completed at 11:59 p.m.
Oftentimes, I like to think I learned my lesson on procrastination but I’m too tired from the previous night to do so.
I know I’m not the only one. If I were to walk up to someone and ask them to name something they struggled with, chances are they would mention something familiar to most.
“Productivity.”
Productivity struggles are a universal experience, especially in fast-paced, high-achieving environments. At the age of distraction, many adolescents struggle with finding ways to be productive. According to a recent study, nearly 86% of high school students admit to procrastinating regularly. The result? A cycle of stress, burnout, and self-doubt that makes even the simplest tasks feel insurmountable.
But why does productivity feel harder to achieve now than in the past? The answer lies in our modern advancement. With smartphones, social media, and endless entertainment options just a click away, staying focused requires more effort than ever. “It’s not just about willpower,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a psychologist specializing in productivity. “Our brains are wired to seek instant gratification, and technology exploits that. Breaking the cycle requires intentional effort and sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone.”
So, how can we combat this growing problem? I personally challenged myself to try eliminating all distractions and prioritize getting my work done. I also asked around for advice in order to help me achieve my goals of productivity.
One of my first goals was to address my own problems. Personally, I find myself distracted on Tiktok a lot. So I decided to ask one of my friends on how she often combated this issue.
“I just toss my phone away. Like on my bed.” And that’s exactly what I did.
I went straight home and started working on my school work. Soon enough I forgot about my phone, my messages, and my daily feed. I found myself finishing one task after another with simple breaks in between to refresh myself. I slept really well that night. However, I didn’t wake up fulfilled; I woke up much more tired than usual.
It was odd because in theory you would wake up feeling a lot more refreshed but I felt more active when I slept late. Regardless, I kept the same exact schedule the next day and the days coming forward. Eventually, I woke up with more energy and less napping in class in comparison to usual. The point being that one night of sleep does not cure all your problems.
But Mom, it’s the weekend…
It’s no secret that school is exhausting, so the weekend would often feel like a well deserved break. I’m talking about sleeping in till the afternoon, watching television, and playing games. I mean, after all, what is two days in comparison to a whole week worth of work? But reality quickly catches up when Sunday night rolls around, and I realize that the homework I meant to start on Friday is still untouched. Sound familiar?
Many students fall into this cycle of weekend procrastination, where the freedom of two days off leads to putting off responsibilities until the very last minute. It’s easy to justify—at the end of the day, we work hard all week, so shouldn’t we get to relax? However, this mindset often results in a rushed, stressful Sunday evening filled with regret and frantic attempts to complete assignments.
It’s important to find a balance between rest and productivity. The key isn’t to sacrifice all weekend relaxation for nonstop productivity. Instead, it’s about finding a balance that allows you to recharge while staying on top of your responsibilities.
Online, there are multiple sources of studying techniques or productivity advice you can choose to take. Most people use different strategies for different subjects where some of them don’t work out in comparison to others. It’s important to be adaptable and open to different studying techniques. You can find different ways to study on Instagram study pages, taking inspiration from others, or even developing a way best suited to yourself.
Eat the Frog
Mark Twain’s quote, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day,” encourages you to tackle your most challenging task first.
You need to first identify your “frog,” the task you’re most likely to procrastinate on. With this technique, you should do that task the first thing in the morning so that it gives you a sense of accomplishment early in the day.
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It’s simple yet highly effective for breaking work into manageable chunks and preventing burnout.
How does it work?
First, you choose a task you want to work on. I like to start off with my easier task to get them done first. You then set a timer for 25 minutes (this is one “Pomodoro”). Work on the task until the time goes off. Take a 5-minute break to rest and recharge when the timer goes off. After completing four Pomodoro’s, take a longer break (15-30 minutes).
The Pomodoro Technique works because it creates a sense of urgency, helping you stay focused by breaking work into manageable 25-minute intervals. The short, regular breaks prevent mental fatigue, allowing you to recharge and maintain productivity over longer periods. Additionally, the technique feels approachable because the time commitment is small, making it easier to start and build momentum. By combining structure with flexibility, it turns overwhelming tasks into a series of achievable steps.
Productivity is not just finishing school work, it’s about how you spend your time. Being able to sleep knowing that you weren’t just moping around can boost your esteem and happiness.

Hobbies are an amazing way to do what you enjoy during your leisure time. Some of my personal favorites are crocheting and writing in a journal. They help me spend time without having a lingering feeling of guilt or sadness. Whenever I mope around all day or find myself sick of myself, I try to figure out what the next best step for me could be. Engaging in a hobby or doing something small and fulfilling can often be the first step to feeling better. Sometimes all it takes is a first step.
One night of good sleep isn’t going to magically fix your productivity struggles. True consistency comes from building habits over time—whether it’s setting a regular study schedule, prioritizing tasks, or simply staying mindful of how you spend your time. Finding ways to efficiently utilize your time, whether beneficial or not, can be a solution to a better starting point. This can range from small things like spending time with your family to doing actual schoolwork. The goal isn’t perfection, but progress.
True consistency comes from building habits over time—whether it’s setting a regular study schedule, prioritizing tasks, or simply staying mindful of how you spend your time.