Perfectionism and fear of judgement

Some of the hardest procrastination comes from high standards. If your work must be perfect, starting it means risking proof that you are not good enough, so not starting feels safer. Students from families with high expectations often know this well: the pressure to top the class can make every assignment feel like a test of your worth.

Signs include rewriting the first paragraph many times, waiting for the right mood, or finishing at the last minute so you can blame time if it goes badly. A useful rule is to aim for a rough first version, then improve it, because you cannot edit a blank page.