MEASURING AND REDUCING COLLEGE STUDENTS ’ PROCRASTINATION

We examined college students ’ procrastination when studying for weekly in-class quizzes. Two schedules of online practice quiz delivery were compared using a multiple baseline design. When online study material was made available noncontingently, students usually procrastinated. When access to additional study material was contingent on completing previous study material, studying was more evenly distributed. Overall, the mean gain in percentage correct scores on weekly in-class quizzes relative to pretests was greater during contingent access than during noncontingent access conditions. Key words: college instruction, procrastination, self-control, study habits _______________________________________________________________________________ College students prepare for quizzes and exams in many ways. Reading from the textbook, reviewing notes, and answering practice questions are among the methods they might employ. Some of these strategies improve test scores. Semb, Hopkins, and Hursh (1973)