Is Your Student A Procrastinator?

A student does not start procrastination in college; this has been a life style that has been reinforced through out their life. This could be a family culture, role modeling of parents, or a personality type. If a child has been allowed to procrastinate with no consequences, there has never been a reason for them to work on this issue. Procrastination has worked for them although I guarantee you, it has caused them aggravation.

Usually helicopter parenting reinforces this type of behavior. If the student doesn’t do it, the parent swoops in at the last minutes and saves the day. They may give the kid a hard time but the kid is prepared to accept the grief because they know it will be done and probably done well by the parent. They have never felt any consequence to their actions. Very simply, this is how we learn to do things different.

How can you have one child that is focused and organized, and another that is a procrastinator? There are personality types that are more prone to procrastination. This is no excuse. Procrastination takes a lot of energy; it affects relationships, and the procrastinator often feels bad about themselves.

Can procrastination be improved? Yes, but it takes effort. Systems need to be put in place and there are many systems out there. Mycollegecalendar.org is just that sort of tool. The worse thing to do is just accept it. This is rewarding bad behavior. Don’t buy your student another day planner, keep it simple and uncluttered.

Dr. Debi Yohn
Counseling Psychologist
President/Founder of CollegeWorks101.com