Explain why so many students procrastinate and why perfectionism can lead to procrastination; and describe the specific ways that time management, goal-setting, and making learning an adventure can help students to avoid procrastination

What will be an ideal response?

Answer will include that many students equate grades with their personal worth, that is, they act as if grades tell whether they are good, smart people who will succeed in life. By procrastinating, they can blame poor work on a late start, rather than a lack of ability. Perfectionism is a related problem. If one expects the impossible, it is hard to start an assignment. Students with high standards often end up with all-or-nothing work habits. In order to solve the problem of procrastination, students must eventually face the self-worth issue and realize that grades are only a gauge of certain skills at a particular point in their lives, not a gauge of their self-worth. Learning better study strategies and using time management will also help alleviate the procrastination. Regarding time management, a weekly time schedule is a written plan that allocates time for study, work, and leisure activities. To prepare a weekly schedule, the student would make a chart showing all the hours in each day of the week. Then he or she would fill in times that are already committed: sleep, meals, classes, work, team practices, lessons, appointments, and so forth. Next, the student would fill in times when he or she will study for various classes. Finally, the student will label the remaining hours as open or free times. Each day, the student can use this schedule as a checklist. That way he or she will know at a glance which tasks are done and which still need attention. One may also find it valuable to make a term schedule that lists the dates of all quizzes, tests, reports, papers, and other major assignments for each class. The beauty of sticking to a schedule is that a person will know that he or she is making an honest effort. It will also help one to avoid feeling bored while working or guilty while playing. It is important to treat study times as serious commitments, but also to respect free times. And remember, students who study hard and practice time management do get better grades. As mentioned earlier, students who are reflective, active learners set specific goals for studying. Such goals should be clear-cut and measurable. If a student finds it hard to stay motivated, he or she should try setting goals for the semester, the week, the day, and even for single study sessions. Also, be aware that more effort early in a course can greatly reduce the "pain" and stress one will experience later. If one's professors don't give frequent assignments, then one should set his or her own day-by-day goals. That way, the student can turn big assignments into a series of smaller tasks that he or she can actually complete. An example would be reading, studying, and reviewing eight pages a day to complete a 40-page chapter in five days. A final point to remember is that students are most likely to procrastinate if they think a task will be unpleasant. Learning can be hard work. Nevertheless, many students find ways to make schoolwork interesting and enjoyable. Try to approach schoolwork as if it were a game, a sport, an adventure, or simply a way to become a better person. The best educational experiences are challenging, yet fun. One should not wait for teachers to "make" their courses interesting. Interest is a matter of the student's attitude.