Momentum Over Motivation: The Secret to Beating Procrastination in College

We’ve all been there—it’s exam season, and suddenly everything except studying feels urgent. Cleaning your room? Sure. Scrolling TikTok for “study hacks”? Definitely. Actually sitting down to start that review? Somehow impossible. 

The truth is, procrastination isn’t about laziness. It’s usually a stress response—a way our brains try to protect us from feeling overwhelmed or anxious about doing something that matters. When everything feels too big, our motivation tends to shut down. 

Start Small, Not Perfect 

The good news? You don’t need to feel inspired or perfectly prepared to start, you just need to start small.  

The five-minute rule.  

• Pick one small thing you’ve been avoiding and do it for five minutes. Most of the time, that’s enough to build momentum. 

Micro-goals.  

• Instead of “study for my exam,” try “read three slides” or “make one flashcard.” 

Change your space.  

• Sometimes all it takes is a new environment—like heading to the Health Study Lounge to reset your focus and separate your study space from your rest space. If you’d like to book a study room, visit The MSA Service Desk (G109). 

Small, realistic actions build confidence, and confidence keeps you moving. 

When It’s More Than Procrastination 

If your stress feels heavier than usual or you can’t seem to get started no matter what you try, you’re not alone—and it might be time to reach out for extra support. 

• Accessible Learning Services can help if you think there’s something deeper affecting your ability to focus or complete work. They offer academic accommodations and guidance tailored to your needs. 

• The Health & Wellness Centre has resources to help you manage anxiety, burnout, or mental health concerns that often show up during exam season. 

• Through Empower Me and Dialogue, you can access 24/7 mental health and wellness support, right from your phone. 

How Mohawk Student Athletes Find Balance 

Student athletes know all too well what it means to juggle commitments. Balancing practices, games, and coursework can make it easy to fall behind or put studying off. 

For 2nd-year Insurance student and Women’s Volleyball Team member Maggie Galand, balance comes down to structure—and a lot of self-discipline. She relies on both a digital and physical calendar to map out her days and make sure she’s setting aside time to study. 

“It also means making sacrifices,” she admits. “I often give up time with friends or family to ensure I do well in school and sport.” 

When things get hectic, Maggie uses daily to-do lists to stay focused and avoid burnout. If she starts to feel overwhelmed, she takes time to reflect—talking things out with a friend, coach, or through journaling.  

“It helps me remember my why—why I go to school and why I play volleyball,” she says. 

Her advice for other students balancing busy schedules?  

“Start early, take breaks, and set small goals each day—consistency makes all the difference.” 

For Sage Sulentic, a first-year student in the Health, Wellness and Fitness program and member of the Men’s Cross-Country team, balance is all about being proactive. 

“During season, I try to stay on top of my schoolwork and get assignments done early,” he says. “It saves a lot of stress when due dates approach and prevents scrambling.” 

To keep his head clear, Sage sticks to a structured to-do list—what he calls his “mastered day schedule.” It helps him stay focused when his days get packed with training, classes, and studying. 

When motivation dips, he reminds himself how connected sport and school really are.  

“When I’m injured, school takes my mind off what’s happening in sport,” he says. “Being in a program tied to athletics makes the student-athlete life more enjoyable.” 

And when things start to feel heavy, Sage makes time for small acts of self-care.  

“Even something like cooking dinner, watching a movie, or getting a massage can make those stressful weeks easier,” he says — proof that slowing down can sometimes be the smartest way to keep moving forward. 

Remember: Progress Over Perfection 

During exam season, try to let go of the guilt. You don’t need to overhaul your study habits overnight—you just need to take the next small step. Be kind to yourself, take breaks, and celebrate the little wins. 

Momentum starts with one action, and from there, you’ve already beaten procrastination.