#71 I Procrastinate Therefore I Cram: How to Break the Procrastination Cycle with Dr. Shannon Bennet
Description
Everyone procrastinates—especially in college—but what’s really going on when you keep pushing things off? In this episode, Dr. Shannon Bennett (Weill Cornell Medicine) joins us to unpack why procrastination is so common, how it connects to emotions like anxiety, self-doubt, and perfectionism, and what you can do to get unstuck.
We cover:
- Why procrastination isn’t about laziness
- The emotional roots of putting things off (fear of failure, perfectionism, boredom, self-doubt)
- Why college is a perfect storm for procrastination (so much freedom, so many distractions)
- Simple but powerful strategies to get moving (breaking tasks into small steps, writing messy drafts, starting with “just one mark on the page”)
- How reflecting on your “why” can help you stay motivated when the work feels overwhelming
This conversation is all about normalizing procrastination (you’re not alone!) while also giving you tools to shift your mindset and habits.
Takeaways for Students
- Procrastination is usually about avoiding uncomfortable feelings—not laziness.
- Start small: sometimes just one sentence, one bullet point, or one messy draft is enough to get rolling.
- Connect your tasks to your values—remembering your “why” can turn busywork into meaningful steps toward your bigger goals.
- Pride and relief come after the work—cramming might get the grade, but it won’t give you that same long-term payoff.
Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.
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Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner
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