Procrastination
Webster's Dictionary definition is: “to put off intentionally and habitually.” Like most habits procrastination is easy to acquire and difficult to overcome. Procrastination has been the downfall of students and professors alike. Many students focus on improving their time management skills in order to improve their academic work. Unfortunately, students do not recognize the importance of acknowledging procrastination as a part of time management.
All it takes is one excuse to disrupt the concerted effort given to establishing an effective time management plan. Though the plan may be in place, there are many excuses to explain poor academic performance. Academic Advisors hear the following statements from students:
“I will do this tomorrow.”
“I'll hang with my buddies and study before I go to bed.”
“ I bombed the first test; I just don't get it, so why put so much time into studying.”
“It's my roommate, she makes too much noise in the room; I can't study.”
“The study group will bring me up to speed before the exam.”
“If I stay up all night, I'll be able to get the paper typed before class tomorrow.”
In high school, it may have been easier to procrastinate because someone would either complete your task or allow you more time to complete an assignment. In college, professors are not so accommodating. With the increase in academic work, students become overwhelmed with exams, homework and class attendance. It becomes very easy to find excuses to "to put off intentionally and habitually" the work you know you can accomplish.
Below are tips from Jim Clements, newspaper correspondent for the World-Herald that he has culled from college officials and first-year students. By actively applying the suggestions listed below, you will be able to lessen procrastination, manage your time, achieve goals and still enjoy the social aspect of college:
1. Plan. After you get an assignment in class, break it down into smaller tasks and decide when you will do the tasks. Buy a planner.
2. If you are busy with school, work and homework, it is important to use the time inbetween classes and work.
3. Time management is linked to planning, which is linked to preventing stress andprocrastination.
4. Don't overschedule yourself. Leave ample time for studies.
5. Learn to force yourself to set a time to study that is convenient for you.
6. Prioritize. Start with your most difficult class assignment or task. Do not attempt yourmost difficult task or assignment at the end of your study time. You will find the work flowseasier when you end with the least amount of stress.
There are many reasons for procrastination. The first step is to actively formulate a plan. Recognize the problem. Prioritize your tasks. Initiate the plan. Learn to control procrastination so it will not control you.
-Contributed by Randy Thomas, Academic Advisor, Academic Advising Center