C., Glenda, et al. “The Impact of Online Graduate Students' Motivation and Self-Regulation on Academic Procrastination.” Journal of Interactive Online Learning, University of Alabama. 152 Rose Administration, P.O. Box 870104, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. , 30 Nov. 2009. 

State University of New York at Stony Brook

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Academic procrastination is the practice of avoiding or postponing academic tasks. It is associated with various negative impacts, including a reduction in the quality and quantity of a student's work, lower goal commitment, less time allotted to studying, decreased course achievement, and a decline in long-term learning. In addition to poor academic performance, academic procrastination can elicit negative emotional reactions such as frustration, anxiety, shame, and guilt.

Academic Procrastination

Using cross-sectional surveys given to nursing students at two junior colleges (n=347) and SPSS, Guo et. al. aimed to explore nursing students' academic procrastination and its relationship with emotional intelligence (EI) and self‐efficacy, and self‐efficacy's mediation of the relationship between EI and academic procrastination. Emotional intelligence (EI) and self‐efficacy were found to be negatively associated with academic procrastination. Students who reported lower EI and self‐efficacy may be at a higher risk of academic procrastination.

Guo et. al. pose that a larger focus on these influencing factors can help nursing educators and consultants develop intervention measures aimed at decreasing students' procrastination behavior.

Academic Procrastination and Emotional Intelligence 

Men are more likely to procrastinate and have adverse academic affects correlating to their procrastination. They also report lower levels of satisfaction with academic life. Men are more likely to procrastinate on academic tasks and assignments.
- possible issue with sleeplessness due to late studying and time pressures
- poor time management skills
- handycapping behavior
- studies have shown low achievement motivation, self-discipline, and high levels of impulsivity in men.

Women have lower levels of academic procrastination with higher levels of academic performance and satisfaction with their academic life. They perform better on tasks and assignments and show better time management skills. 

Gender Differences with Academic Procrastination 

Aitken Procrastination Inventory - API

Procrasstination Assessment Scale-Students - PASS

Methods of measuring academic procrastination

Procrastination is highly prevalent among students; in one study, seventy percent of students reported academic procrastination, and twenty percent reported habitual procrastinations(Schouwenberg, 1995). It was also found that graduate students procrastinate 3.5 times more than undergraduate students(Onwuegbuzie 2004).

Procrastination in undergraduate and graduate students

The online environment increases the amount of procrastination. This makes it very important for researchers to identify strategies for decreasing students’ procrastination levels in an online environment. 

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