Students often struggle to submit their assignments on time, even when the deadline day is clearly set. This delay is common across universities in the UK and can impact grades, wellbeing, and academic progress. Multiple factors contribute to procrastination, including personal challenges, academic pressures, and environmental distractions. Understanding these reasons can help students overcome delays and manage their studies effectively.
The Role of Student Accommodation
Where students live plays a significant role in their ability to focus. Many students in student accommodation face distractions such as noisy environments, shared spaces, or social commitments, which make completing assignments on time challenging. Balancing academic tasks with life in accommodation requires effective planning. Universities often offer study spaces or quiet zones to help students stay productive.
- Academic Pressures and Administration
Complex student academic administration tasks can also cause assignment delays. Registration processes, submission platforms, and navigating university requirements take time, leaving less for actual assignment work. Coupled with additional tasks like preparing academic posters, managing part-time work, or taking part in academic employment opportunities, students can feel overwhelmed and postpone their assignments.
- Stress and Its Effects
Stress is a major factor in procrastination. Students may experience viva stress, anxiety from oral exams, or post stress syndrome, where accumulated stress reduces motivation. Pressure from multiple deadlines, including the self assessment deadline, can intensify this issue. Implementing stress relief techniques like mindfulness, exercise, and university counselling can significantly improve focus and productivity.
- The Value of Peer Academic Leaders
Support from a peer academic leader can help students stay on track. Peer academic leaders mentor students, offering guidance on managing deadlines, improving academic skills, and balancing coursework with work or social life. They provide encouragement and practical strategies, such as breaking down assignments into smaller tasks or prioritising workloads, helping students meet their deadline day efficiently.
- Enhancing Academic Skills and Motivation
Lack of academic skills can contribute to procrastination. Workshops on research, essay writing, and presentation skills, including creating academic posters, can equip students to complete assignments confidently. Additionally, awareness of student scholarship opportunities motivates students to submit work on time to maintain eligibility. Combining skill development with mentorship reduces delays and enhances academic performance.
Strategies to Avoid Assignment Delays
- Plan assignments early and set mini-deadlines before the deadline day.
- Create a focused study environment in student accommodation.
- Seek guidance from peer academic leaders or academic mentors.
- Balance work from academic employment opportunities with study.
- Apply stress relief techniques to reduce viva stress and post stress syndrome.
- Improve academic skills through workshops and practical exercises.
Conclusion
Delays in assignment submission are caused by a mix of personal, academic, and environmental factors. From challenges in student accommodation to stress from exams and viva stress, students face multiple hurdles. Leveraging support from peer academic leaders, improving academic skills, and practising stress relief can help students meet their deadlines, manage their workload effectively, and achieve academic success in the UK.