Hello! This is my second blog post! My inquiry question is: “Why do students choose to do low-priority tasks, such as cleaning or organizing, over higher-priority academic tasks, such as studying for an exam, when experiencing academic stress, and what techniques can be used to reduce this form of procrastination?” In order to get more information about the topic, I have made a plan of research in three stages. I believe that these stages will help me figure out the reasons for this behaviour and find realistic solutions for students.
Step 1: Research on the connection between academic stress and procrastination
First, I’m going to study the relationship between academic stress and procrastination and its influence on emotions. I’m interested because it is common to feel overwhelmed, have fears such as failure, and the want to have everything “perfect.” I would also like to study whether avoidance of a stressful task gives some kind of emotional relief. This research will allow me to answer the first half of my inquiry question, which is why many students may want to delay an urgent activity despite being aware of it.
Step 2: Research on why small tasks become more attractive
In this next research round, I would like to look into reasons for engaging in tasks such as cleaning and organizing rather than doing academic work. I am curious about whether this behaviour is associated with a faster feeling of accomplishment, easier controllability of a chosen activity or the ability to be productive without facing stress. Furthermore, I would like to understand the difference between taking a useful break from one’s work and substituting it with some other activity to avoid academic work. I would also like to keep a short reflection log of occasions when I exhibit this behaviour, which will include a description of what task I have been putting off, what I substituted it with and what feelings I have because of it.
Step 3: Find strategies to reduce this form of procrastination
This research round will allow me to find out how students can avoid this behaviour and get started sooner. It is going to include investigation of various strategies including breaking down assignments into smaller chunks, setting up the time to begin working on it, using short intervals of study and managing negative feelings towards academic work. In order to test the effectiveness of these strategies, I am going
Five potential sources I could use in my later blog posts
Implications for me and my community
This inquiry can assist me in realizing that I am using smaller tasks as a way of avoiding doing more pressing academic tasks. Instead of being aware of the fact that I postponed studying, I would like to be able to understand the factors making it hard for me to start and try to use effective strategies. This will allow me to adopt better studying habits and not leave my important academic work for later.
For my community, especially other students from my school, this investigation can provide interesting suggestions on how to handle stressful projects and tests. Through publishing my findings on my blog, I would like to inspire students to examine their own behaviour and find appropriate strategies. In addition, I would like this project to help everyone normalize having conversations about the reasons for procrastination among students.
Thank you for reading! 🙂