Problem stated

It is a common trait for people to put off their work when the task is hard or overpowering. For undergraduate and graduate students, who may study under a stressful environment where frequent and challenging assignments are given by teachers, the prevalence of procrastination goes even further (Akinsola and Tella Adedeji and Tella Adeyinka 2007, 363). It can be identified by the fact that difficult homework including research paper or making preparation for examination will not be finished until the last minute (Akinsola and Tella Adedeji and Tella Adeyinka 2007, 364). It is reported that the tendency to delay their weekly reading assignments in a study conducted by Onwuebguzie was almost 3.5 times high in comparison with undergraduate students (Onwuegbuzie 1999, 9). When it comes to writing a research paper, which may account for a large part of a grade, the number of graduates who tend to procrastinate reaches 41.7 % (Onwuegbuzie 1999, 8).

Procrastination often not only results in negative effects on students’ academic performance but also may harm their mental health. According to Kandemir (2014, 189) , failure, unhappiness and stress can be caused by academic procrastination behaviour. In addition, Savithri (2014, 380) claims that the  students’ life satisfaction and academic procrastination are negatively correlated.