Understanding Procrastination

Procrastination Definition

• "Procrastination" comes from the Latin words "pro" (forward or in favour of) and "crastinus" (of tomorrow)
• Refers to avoiding or delaying a task until later, oftentimes unspecified

Procrastination Research

• 32% of students in a Canadian study (Day, Mensink & O'Sullivan, 2000) have severe procrastination problems
• Procrastination impacts academic performance and stress levels
• There are two types of procrastinators: Relaxed (negative feelings towards work) and Anxious (worried about pressure, ability and fear of failure)
• Motivation is a core issue, not time management. Students who are motivated (either intrinsically or extrinsically) are less likely to procrastinate.

Procrastination Reasons

• Fear of Failure: Students avoid tasks because they fear demonstrating a lack of ability.
• Task Seems Too Big: Viewing the task as a whole instead of smaller steps can feel overwhelming.
• Lack of Self-Discipline: Transitioning from high school's structured environment to university's independence is challenging for some.
• Lack of Understanding: Students may lack clarity on what the task entails.
• Difficulty Setting Priorities: Students struggle to prioritize the task over other obligations and desires.
• Unrealistic Expectations: Students may focus on perfectionism and unrealistic expectations for high grades, especially those transitioning from different marking criteria.
• Fear of Success: Students may view success as leading to more work and exceeding their comfort zone.

Overcoming Procrastination in University

• Challenges:

  • Lack of Self-Discipline: Students struggle to manage their own schedules and tasks.
  • Unclear Task Relevance: Students may not prioritize a task that doesn't seem directly beneficial to their grade.
  • Tasks Appearing Too Big: Overwhelming tasks can be a significant obstacle.
  • Not Knowing How to Tackle a Task: Feeling unprepared or unsure about how to approach a task can be discouraging.
  • Inability to Set Priorities: Difficulty prioritizing tasks can lead to procrastination.
  • Unrealistic Expectations: Students may have different expectations for university performance, leading to anxiety.
  • Fear of Success: The pressure of success and potential of not meeting unrealistic expectations can be overwhelming.

• Strategies:

  • Break Down Tasks: Divide large tasks into smaller, achievable goals.
  • Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
  • Proactive Questioning: Asking questions when unclear about a task shows initiative and a desire to understand, which are university expectations.
  • Prioritize Tasks: Establish a system to organize tasks and deadlines.
  • Manage Unrealistic Expectations: Recognize and manage unrealistic expectations to alleviate anxiety.
  • Reward Systems: Encourage a sense of accomplishment and motivation with reward systems for completed tasks.

This quiz explores the definition, research findings, and reasons behind procrastination. It highlights the psychological factors affecting students and their academic performance. Delve into the two types of procrastinators and understand the core issue of motivation in relation to procrastination.