A Million Tomorrows

Students who procrastinate have more to contend with than just bad grades.

They are also likely to have unhealthy patters of sleep, diet, and exercise, according to a study presented at last month’s annual meeting of the American Psychological Association.

Procrastination is closely linked the study found, to “avoidant coping styles”—the tendency to neglect, rather than confront, problems that cause anxiety.  The study of 374 undergraduates was conducted by Fuschia M. Sirios, a doctoral candidate in psychology at Carleton, University, in Ottawa, and Timothy A. Pychyl, an associate professor of psychology there.

Such avoidant styles translate not only into late term papers but also to higher rates of smoking and drinking and a tendency to postpone seeing doctors for acute health problems.  Ms. Sirios and Mr. Pychyl also found that procrastinators have significantly higher rates of digestive ailments, insomnia, and cold and flue symptoms than do other students.

Their research and similar studies released at the meeting suggest that a frequent, common-sense remedy for procrastination—improving time management—is not a realistic solution.
Says Joseph R. Ferrari, an associate professor of psychology at DePaul University:  “Telling someone who procrastinates to buy a weekly planner is like telling someone with chronic depression to just cheer up.”

David Glen
The Chronicle of Higher Education
September 6, 2002

Printer Friendly Format

Audio Format