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Lance Fabery

Professor Batty

26 March 2019

Procrastination, A Modern Epidemic

Many different subgroups of student exist, some are driven for education, others for

social connections, and some not at all. Procrastination affects us in many negative ways by

adding extra stress and anxiety brought on by our desire to succeed and more often than not

incoming freshman armoire susceptible procrastination. Often times these incoming freshmen

have not completely adjusted to the transition from high-school to college, potentially finding

themselves much more stressed and under more significant pressure to perform. The lack of

organized support for people with poor management skills is problematic, and addressing it is

critical to boosting productivity and morale. Although it is a common problem, we have not yet

seen many policies or programs designed to help the Freshman Class ease into college life and

reality the expectations held by their professors. The lack of organized support along with poor

time management skills is problematic, and addressing it is critical to boost productivity and

morale. I believe schools and universities alike should adopt and integrate counselling services

provided in a group setting for students to attend that will create time plans and schedule Provide

the necessary structure some students might require.. In addition I believe the use of Progress

reports ca help said student's to Set a reminder other current progress throughout the semester. It

may seem far fetched to believe that these students are responsible enough to abide by these

programs and actually follow through with turning in these progress reports. For the most part
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you're right. That's why there should be measures put in place in order to hold these students

accountable, Resulting in the system that could potentially better incoming freshman's college

career.

The transition from high-school to college is a big step and the pursuit of one's academic

career and as a potential to ensure a great success down the line. With this Milestone of a change

comes certain level of expectations held by college professors that could inadvertently Blindside

incoming freshman resulting in added fear, anxiety, and more often than not results in

procrastination of their assignments and studies. College freshman of the most susceptible to

procrastination for a number of reasons, an inability to adapt to the certain level of standards

held for college-level academics. Bad habits carried over from high school or just an overall lack

of interest in the subject matter.In an article titled “A message to freshmen on procrastination”

published by Florida International University ( FLU) What's that incoming freshman, especially

those who had no problems in high school often assume their college experience will be just as

easy. Get research from a 2007 study conducted by the University of Calgary found set up to 80

95 percent of these students procrastinate especially when given homework. usually stemming

from a lack of preparation for the big change that is college life only to be accompanied by poor

planning and time management skills.

So where does this leave incoming freshman are they meant to fend for themselves

hoping to figure things out for down the line. While many people would argue that these

individuals Are responsible or not only adopting but changing their overall work ethic when

attending college.Ultimately these changes are slow to occur it's in a person's first year college
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the person who procrastinate does not have the tools or skills necessary to integrate such changes

on their own. Programs such as a community style support of the group helps ensure people be

accountable for their actions. If one person is not doing the work required to see positive change

the group can support and encourage them. Other added benefits of community support include

the increase in confidence from having praise for effort put, and the subsiding of individual fear.

Individual fear in this case would mean the fear that you are the only one who suffers with this

problem. Essentially knowing others struggle with the same issues makes one more likely to talk

and reason through their problems. Other external support can help deal with more personal

problems like fear of failure or perfectionism, both of which are apparent major causes of

procrastination . Impacts of procrastination extend beyond just anxiety and doubt.

Physical manifestations of psychological problems become very apparent in those who

procrastinate. Procrastination can lead to unhealthy behavior and, “​affects achievement of goals

creating anxiety (Scher and Nelson, 2002); and causes higher stress, low self-esteem,

depression, cheating, plagiarism, higher use of alcohol, cigarette and caffeine and decreased

ability to maintain healthy self care habits like exercise and eating (Goode, 2008).”(Hussain,

Sultan). These symptoms manifest themselves through coping mechanisms like drug abuse,

or escapism, which often times result in decreased ability for success. The issue of

procrastination is applicable to everyone, but is seen most prominently as a problem and a

threat to overall wellbeing in schools. It has been said that on average anywhere from

46-95% of students procrastinate in some part of their daily routine and habit. In addition to

creating structure, counselling will also be provided to help deal with the stress of daily life.

These can include activities such as advocating for community exercise, running, walking,
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hiking in groups, and forms of aggression therapy to help combat anger. Problems with

motivation may be present, but could be lessened with positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement encourages people to do their best as they are the ones who

receive the most benefit. Furthermore, it also allows for continuous visible growth which is

one factor to help encourage people to work harder. Giving up usually occurs because one

feels as if they are stagnant and have not improved or progressed in any noticeable degree.

By creating incentives for people to work harder, such as rewarding them at community

meetings, and inciting they work hard, they will receive better grades. This could make the

difference between finishing work early, or leaving it to the last minute. Implementation of

policies and programs can be done in a large variety of ways from stricter controls to more

lenient, individual help.

Organizations can be especially useful in helping people who procrastinate. One

reinforcing factor of procrastination is the psychological and sociological impacts. On a

social level, procrastinators are called lazy, and immature. This name calling results in a

degradation of self-worth only furthering the lack of motivation. Furthermore, society

perpetuates the idea to “stop complaining”, or “just do it”, without realizing deep rooted

issues. Procrastination dampens the dreams and goals of the aspiring people. Support groups

like Chronic Procrastination.Org have greatly helped in changing the societal image of

procrastination to one of compassion rather than blame. According to Chronic

Procrastination.Org different reasons can vary wildly, but one thing that seems constant is the

rising numbers. The increasingly competitive and specialized job market coupled with
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increasing importance of decision making meant that, “​People tend to have "choice paralysis" -

they can't make up their minds.”(Chronic Procrastination.org). The challenges of procrastination

are faced by every student or employee at some time, but for those who have become chronic

offenders, the challenges are everyday.

The challenges of procrastination, especially pertaining to the college students

demographic can be somewhat relieved by accomodation and help from counselling services

who create structured and dynamic plans to help one apportion their time the most effectively. In

addition to creating a system of scheduling, positive reinforcement along with incentive based

practices will help motivate young people to finish their work in a timely, efficient, and stress

free manner.
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“Why Do Students Procrastinate? Causes & Tips.” ​Oxford Learning​, 28 Sept. 2017,

www.oxfordlearning.com/why-do-kids-procrastinate/​.

“The Organization Against Chronic Procrastination.” ​Chronic Procrastination .Org - The

Organization Against Chronic Procrastination​, chronicprocrastination.org/.

“Analysis of Procrastination among University Students.” ​Procedia - Social and

Behavioral Sciences,​ Elsevier, 21 Sept. 2010,

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042810017593.