1. Activity Sheet:
Putting Procrastination in Its Place
According to Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at De Paul
University in Chicago, there’s more than one flavor of procrastination. People
procrastinate for different reasons. Dr. Ferrari identifies three basic types of
procrastinators:
 Arousal types, or thrill-seekers, who wait to the last minute for the euphoric
(jubilant) rush.
 Avoiders, who may be avoiding fear of failure or even fear of success, but in
either case are very concerned with what others think of them; they would rather
have others thing they lack effort than ability.
 Decisional procrastinators, who cannot make a decision. Not making a
decision absolves procrastinators of responsibility for the outcome of events.
1. Determine what type of procrastinator you are.
- I’m an avoider procrastinator.
2. Describe a time in which you fit the procrastinator type.
- I was taking Marine Science class; the teacher was asking questions for an
extra credit. He asked a question about octopus, I knew the answer to the
question. Because of my shyness and thinking that my answer was foolish I
didn’t answer. Then I was regretting because I needed that extra credit for the
final exam.
3. Describe a negative consequence of your actions as one of the
procrastinator types.
- I felt so bad because I could have gotten the extra credit, I took my final exam
and I got a B with an 89%, the teacher didn’t wanted to give the extra point
that I was missing to get a 90% A.
4. Honestly assess why you procrastinate. What is the payoff for you?
- I procrastinate because of my shyness, I have to be more open and talk what
I think even if I make a mistake. Nobody is perfect, we are in the class to
learn and make mistakes. The professor is there to help us succeed and
correct our errors. I didn’t get the grade that I wanted/deserved, even though I
study a lot for that test. I was really pissed off at me.

2. 5. Describe two tricks that can keep you from procrastinating in situations
like the one you described above.
- I have to express myself, be more open and never let anybody think I am
not smart.
-Writing down the answer, question or concern; then letting know the
professor with proofs that you knew the answer. Fear is the worst enemy.
Adapted from http://www.psychologytoday.com/rss/pto-20030823-000001.html