By Christion Billy
Howard University News Service
Sensa Health released a report highlighting the key factors that lead to procrastination and ways people can fight against it.
Procrastination is when a person postpones a specific task as an emotional response to dealing with it.
Constant procrastination can lead to increased stress, anxiety and other negative consequences, like missed deadlines and poor performance.
“There was a time when there was a study guide for an exam…I didn’t pay attention to the study guide, nor did I do it,” said high school junior LJ Ellis. “I procrastinated when I should have [completed the study guide] to get a better grade.”
Still, the consequences of procrastination go beyond unsatisfactory academic performance.
For example, students who wait until the last minute to complete assignments often pull all-nighters, causing sleep deprivation and even larger amounts of stress and anxiety.
The more a person procrastinates, the larger the impact on their physical and mental health.
In the report published last year, psychotherapist Dr. Dainius Jakucionis stated people who struggle with procrastination the most are those with depression, Obsessive-Complusive Disorder (OCD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Various factors can cause procrastination, including stress, fear of failure, desire for perfection and exhaustion.
There are different types of procrastinators: active, passive and chronic.
Active procrastinators work well under pressure, waiting until the last minute to start tasks. Meanwhile, passive procrastinators postpone tasks due to lacking motivation and fear.
Chronic procrastinators are those who constantly delay tasks.
According to Frontiers, 75% of college students and 20% of adults are chronic procrastinators.
Tiara Sealy, a senior English major at Howard University, was an active procrastinator but drifted away from the habit.
“I used to work well under pressure,” she said. “I’d like to wait until the day before something’s due or the day it is due to do it.”
Elizabeth Hilliard, a chronic procrastinator and lower elementary education teacher, said she procrastinates because she does not believe in herself.
“Sometimes there’s a doubt that I can accomplish the task,” she said. “I procrastinate because I’m not sure of the decision of should I [or] should I not.”
Some think negatively of procrastinators, equating procrastinating to being lazy.
“I believe it could be a form of laziness,” said Yolonda Smith, a 5th-grade teacher. “I believe it’s a form of being where you’re not prioritizing the things you want to do in life.”
According to Dominic Voge, the associate director of Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, there are four main factors to overcoming procrastination: awareness, time management, motivation, and staying motivated.
First, one must change mindsets and be determined to improve. Procrastinators need to be aware, identifying the reasons why they procrastinate.
Managing time can include techniques, like creating a calendar and holding yourself accountable. These techniques have been said to help college students improve their work habits and academic performance.
For motivation, identify positive reasons that will engage you in your tasks.
The last key in the puzzle is finding ways to stay motivated.
“I would tell [a chronic procrastinator] to utilize their resources and ask for help,” said Hannah Jackson, a sophomore political science major at Howard University. “[Many] procrastinate because they need extra help or encouragement, even if that comes from encouraging and affirming yourself that you can do this [task].”
Some other helpful practices include setting goals and reducing the number of tasks.
It is also important to leave yourself time for breaks.
Christion Billy is a reporter for HUNewsService.com.
