By Laura Cummings
For many students, it’s an easy choice between starting that big research paper or spending one more hour watching television, chatting online or cleaning the kitchen for the millionth time.
Often “one more hour” turns into several, then many more, leading to a lost night with nothing accomplished and nothing to show for the time spent.
But it’s more than just simple laziness driving the problem – it’s procrastination, and Carleton University professor Dr. Tim Pychyl says it can seriously affect emotional, mental and even physical well-being.
Pychyl, an associate professor and graduate chair in the Department of Psychology, is also the director of the Procrastination Research Group, which investigates the issue of procrastination, as well as providing resources and information to those who suffer from it.
Procrastination affects students in particular because of issues like continuous evaluation by professors, or trouble getting started on new school projects.
The solution to stopping procrastination is to break the ingrained habits that lead to it, Pychyl said in an interview earlier this month. Concentrating on a particular goal, then recognizing and practicing the behaviours that will mean successful completion is necessary.
For example, students can leave cues for themselves, he explained. The reminders will encourage them to start working on an assignment or studying for a test instead of heading for the Xbox or computer.
“When you actually do the work, you break down those initial fears and worries,” Pychyl said. “By priming the pump a little bit, you change your perspective on the task and of yourself.”
It’s also important to identify the myths surrounding procrastination, many which are dispelled by the Procrastination Research Group’s website.
“The reality is that most procrastinators are excellent at organizing their time,” he said. “Procrastination isn’t about time management, it’s about a complex interplay of a person in a situation.”