Procrastination & time management

What is academic procrastination

In the literature, procrastination among students is referred to as “academic procrastination” and is defined as behaviour in which the student is indecisive, lacking the appetite and will to complete an activity related to their academic duties (Schouwenburg, 2005). Students characterised by procrastination unjustifiably delay finishing a task — whether it is studying at home or preparing for exams — study their subjects superficially (Zeenath & Orcullo, 2012) and waste time doing other things.

The role of the environment

In the literature, procrastination is linked to parental acceptance and rejection: when parents’ demands are rigid, children use procrastination as a defence mechanism (Frost et al., 1990). Conversely, when parents are more supportive, children show lower rates of procrastination (Zakeri et al., 2013; Woo & Yeo, 2019).

Time management

Time management involves tools for organising work and life so that tasks are carried out effectively and efficiently. In reality we do not manage time, but our activities within time: greater awareness of how time is used, goal-setting, prioritisation, planning, monitoring and organisation. Useful tools include to-do lists, “quiet hours” of uninterrupted work, and organising your environment for optimal performance.

How counselling helps

Through the counselling process, the student can identify the causes that lead them to procrastinate or to manage their time poorly, and reorganise their time and schedule from scratch. At the same time, weekly meetings foster consistency and commitment to a plan, always respecting each person’s own pace and personality.