Why do people procrastinate?
A semester’s end is crunch time for students and teachers alike, as well as revelation time—of personality, character, discipline, work ethics and self- and time management skills.
This last semester’s end was no different. On the day of grades submission, we, the University of the Philippines faculty members, received an e-mail memorandum from the Office of the Vice Chancellor on Academic Affairs informing us that the dreaded deadline had been reset because of a meeting the week before attended by many faculty members.
Although I had submitted the grades three days earlier, I read the memo with curiosity, only to find out the postponement was from Oct. 21 to Oct 22.
Just one more day!
I thought the memo might have come a bit too late and would be resented by those who had to pull an all-nighter over their students’ grades. But for those who had not been checking papers throughout the past 18 weeks, an extra day might not suffice.
Two weeks after the memo, we received another notice from our college secretary, gently reminding those who had not submitted their grades to kindly do so as soon as possible. That was already at the end of the semester vacation. It was also enrollment time for the second semester.
Apparently, some people never learn. I would not be surprised if some professors blamed again late submissions by students, perpetuating a vicious cycle of procrastination that administrators seem to find difficult to control.
To be fair, the university administrators had tried different ways to motivate prompt submission of grades. One time, professors who submitted grades on time were rewarded meal tickets for two. Another time, salaries of professors who had not submitted grades were withheld.
Both tricks did not seem to work. Professors notorious for not submitting grades were unmoved by either punishment or reward.
How can we change this culture of tardy submissions in schools?
Self-regulation
In my 17 years of teaching at the premier university, I am happy to say I have never been late in submitting students’ grades. I like scheduling my work so I need to schedule my students’ work accordingly. Moreover, I want to enjoy my vacation break to the fullest, not delayed by others’ lack of efficiency.
Since I hate late papers, I make that clear on the first day of every class each semester. I announce in class and in the written syllabus that 10 percent will be deducted from the paper’s score for every week it is late.
While I understand that my requirements are usually more stringent than those in other courses (my students make sure I know this fact, which does not move me, unfortunately), I expect them to hand in their work on time.
By the second week of class, all submission dates throughout the semester are set and announced. The last major paper or examination date is known 16 weeks ahead of time while other assignments are given in two- or three-week intervals.
This “system” aims to help students practice self-regulation. It is also expected to minimize procrastination. If they need more time for a certain paper, they are supposed to do it weeks ahead of time.
For most of my students, this system works. For a few incorrigible ones, they suffer the consequences of late papers.
Many students do not lack intelligence but lag in executive function, which regulates a person’s goal-directed behavior. The executive function is the ability to anticipate problems, set goals, plan, organize, prioritize, delay gratification, monitor progress and shift if necessary, all of which are antidote to procrastination.
Estimation
Almost everyone procrastinates—some more than others. Why? It has to do with estimation.
People procrastinate, or put off doing things, when they overestimate how much time they have or underestimate how long it takes to do a task. They may also overestimate their abilities and motivation, expecting things will go smoothly without a snag.
People find all sorts of excuses to justify procrastination: They do not know what needs to be done or how to do it, they are not in the mood or they forget. They blame group mates, teachers, the government, traffic, etc. They are waiting for the right moment or for inspiration.
Thinking they can do better under pressure, they wait until the last minute, believing they can finish on time, and do other tasks.
There are habitual, occasional and active procrastinators, as well as passive procrastinators.
Research has found that the active ones may actually work under pressure but they do finish on time, while passive ones continue to wait and delay and never get to submit their work.
Perfectionism may also lead to procrastination. “Unhealthy or neurotic perfectionists” set unrealistically high standards and are afraid of failure. They are paralyzed to even start work.
The first thing to do is to recognize that you are procrastinating when you keep putting off a task by engaging in other activities.
But the problem task is not going away merely by putting it off. Doing more reading or research but not writing your first paragraph is not going to help.
Find out why you procrastinate. If you do not know what or how to do it, get information, seek help, ask your teacher. Get something done, even if it is a small step.
If a task overwhelms you, break it down into manageable steps. Prioritize, schedule each step and get moving. If you feel the task is unpleasant, reward yourself after completing a step. If the project is too big, find partners.
Just do it
Many procrastinators overestimate the unpleasantness of a task. Think instead of the unwanted consequences if you do not do it. Just do it. Get it over with so you can have more time for things you enjoy. Keep tab on your schedule. Practice saying “no” to others and to yourself. Keep all distractions away. Focus.
I have the privilege of being the adviser to 36 thesis and dissertation writers, and a panelist to 30 more. I am also guiding half a dozen more.
I have seen the best and worst of students.
There is one great lesson to learn: The more you procrastinate, the harder the task gets. It happened to a few students who were at their wits’ end (their advisers just as anxious) trying to finish a dissertation that had reached the “now or never,” “do or die” stage—no chance for further extension after 10 years, five extensions that will let them stay in the program. Three “penalty courses” added to the pressure.
Procrastination is an addiction. Run away when you can.
E-mail the author at [email protected].
