Top 7 Time-Wasting Mistakes Grad Students Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Grad school is a marathon, not a sprint—but let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like you’re running in circles. Between the endless assignments, research deadlines, and looming dissertation, it can seem like no matter how hard you work, your to-do list only gets longer.
Here’s the thing: grad school isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart. And unfortunately, many grad students fall into common traps that waste their precious time and energy. I’ve been there, and I’ve seen countless other students make the same mistakes.
Today, we’re going to talk about the 7 biggest time-wasting mistakes grad students make—and how to avoid them, so you can actually get things done.
1. Not Prioritizing Tasks Based on Impact
When I was in grad school, I used to think that staying busy meant I was being productive. I’d tackle the easy tasks first, like responding to emails or organizing my desk, just to feel like I was making progress. Sound familiar?
The truth is, being busy and being productive are two very different things. One of the biggest mistakes grad students make is not prioritizing their tasks based on their impact. It’s easy to get caught up in the small stuff and avoid the bigger, more challenging tasks.
How to avoid it:
Focus on the tasks that move the needle the most—whether it’s writing a chapter of your dissertation, preparing for a meeting with your advisor, or completing a major assignment. In my Grad School Success System, I teach a proven prioritization framework that helps you focus on what truly matters, so you can make real progress every day.
2. Multitasking
You might think you’re being efficient by juggling multiple tasks at once, but multitasking is one of the biggest productivity killers. Research shows that multitasking actually reduces your performance and increases the time it takes to complete each task.
I remember when I was working on my PhD, I’d try to write a paper while responding to emails and checking class assignments. The result? My writing was sloppy, and I made way more mistakes than I would have if I had just focused on one task at a time.
How to avoid it:
Instead of multitasking, try “time blocking”—dedicating specific chunks of time to a single task. This way, you’re fully focused and can complete tasks faster and more effectively.
3. Failing to Set Boundaries
Grad school is full of demands—whether it’s from your advisor, your classmates, or even yourself. One of the biggest time-wasting mistakes grad students make is failing to set healthy boundaries around their time and energy.
I once worked with a grad student, who would agree to everything—group study sessions, extra meetings, helping her peers with their research—all while struggling to keep up with her own workload. By the end of the semester, she was burnt out and hadn’t made as much progress as she wanted on her own work.
How to avoid it:
Learn to say “no” and protect your time. My masterclass on Setting and Honoring Healthy Boundaries teaches you how to set boundaries that allow you to focus on your priorities without feeling guilty.
4. Procrastinating on Big Projects
Let’s be real—grad students are pros at procrastination. You know you have a huge paper due in two weeks, but instead of starting it now, you convince yourself that you work better under pressure and decide to put it off. Then, two days before the deadline, you’re pulling an all-nighter, wondering why you didn’t start earlier.
I fell into this trap more than once in my PhD journey. The stress and exhaustion that came with last-minute cramming weren’t worth it.
How to avoid it:
Break big projects into smaller, manageable tasks and set mini-deadlines for yourself. This makes large projects feel less overwhelming and gives you a clear roadmap for getting them done. My Grad School Success System includes strategies for overcoming procrastination and staying on track with your deadlines.
5. Overcommitting
Grad school is full of opportunities—seminars, research groups, conferences, and collaborations. While it’s great to get involved, overcommitting is a classic time-waster. When you try to do everything, you end up stretching yourself too thin, and none of your projects get the attention they deserve.
One of the students in my learning community, let’s call him Marco, was notorious for overcommitting. He’d sign up for every conference, workshop, and research project he could find, but struggled to keep up with his own dissertation work. By the end of the year, Marco was overwhelmed and behind schedule.
How to avoid it:
Be strategic about where you spend your time. Ask yourself: “Will this help me move forward in my academic goals?” If the answer is no, it’s okay to pass. Your time is limited—use it wisely.
6. Not Asking for Help
Grad school can feel like a solo journey, but that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Many students waste time trying to figure everything out on their own instead of seeking help when they need it.
I’ll never forget when I was stuck on a particularly challenging chapter of my dissertation. I spent days trying to figure it out by myself, too afraid to ask for help because I didn’t want to seem “incompetent.” But once I finally reached out to my advisor, I got the clarity I needed in just one meeting.
How to avoid it:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help—whether it’s from your advisor, classmates, or even online communities. You’re not expected to have all the answers. In my Procrastination-Burnout Cycle masterclass, I talk about the importance of accountability and support systems to keep you on track and prevent burnout.
7. Not Taking Breaks
Believe it or not, working nonstop is actually a huge time-waster. When you’re exhausted, your productivity drops, and tasks take longer to complete. Many grad students think they need to be working constantly to get everything done, but the reality is, breaks are crucial to maintaining focus and efficiency.
I used to be guilty of this. I’d spend hours hunched over my desk, trying to push through the fatigue, only to realize that I wasn’t making much progress. Once I started incorporating regular breaks, I found that I could work more efficiently and get more done in less time.
How to avoid it:
Incorporate regular breaks into your schedule using techniques like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break). In my Time Management Essentials class, I share tips on how to structure your day so that you’re working smarter, not harder.
Stop Wasting Time and Start Thriving in Grad School
Grad school is demanding enough—don’t make it harder by falling into these time-wasting traps. By learning to prioritize, focus, and set healthy boundaries, you can avoid burnout and make real progress toward your academic goals.
If you’re ready to stop wasting time and start thriving in grad school, check out my Grad School Success System. It’s designed to help you master time management, beat procrastination, and set boundaries, so you can take control of your grad school journey.
Introducing
The Grad School Success System
The Grad School Success System is your toolkit for managing time, beating procrastination, and setting healthy boundaries, so you can finally get things done…
