Most parents subscribe to the idea, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today,” but their kids prefer the saying, “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.” As adults, we see the downside of procrastination – stress (on them and us!), anxiety, nagging, late nights, and family conflict. So many children struggle with the temptation to delay the inevitable – especially when there are Twitter feeds to check and Instagram photos to upload. The good news is that new research has revealed that there are small steps parents and students can take to curb this big problem. During this webinar, you will learn why students procrastinate in the first place (it may not be what you think) and what research reveals when it comes to tackling this pervasive problem. Join us for practical tips for kids of all ages.

1. The Science
Behind
Procrastination
Presented by:
Ann Dolin, M.Ed.
EC Tutoring, President
www.ectutoring.com
ann@ectutoring.com

2. Introductions
 Ann
Dolin, M.Ed.
President and Founder,
Educational Connections Inc.
 20 years of experience as
teacher, tutor, and education
consultant
 Author of:
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Homework Made Simple: Tips,
Tools and Solutions for StressFree Homework
A Guide to Private Schools: The
Washington DC, Northern
Virginia, and Maryland Edition
Feel free to contact me
anytime. ann@ectutoring.com
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3. If Everyone Procrastinates,
Why Is It a Problem?
Statistics vary by age; 20% of
general population, up to
70% of college students
 Those who rate themselves
as high in this area have:
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Lower achievement
More negative feelings
More health problems
www.ectutoring.com
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4. Impact on Students

When it comes to
academics:
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Things our tutors have
noticed:
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www.ectutoring.com
Higher stress levels
Reduced accuracy
Functional procrastination
Dysfunctional procrastination
Chapter in Homework
Made Simple
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5. Excuses We Hear…
It’s not due for another
week! I have plenty of
time.
 I work better under
pressure.
 That will only take me a
half hour – tops!

www.ectutoring.com
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6. Common Myths

“I work better under
pressure”
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Not true; more
mistakes, more stress
Becomes a habit, so students
know no other way
“I’ll be in a better mood
later on to do it”
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The better mood does not
come
Students are really at a
crossroads in terms of “mood
repair”
www.ectutoring.com
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7. EF and Procrastination

Executive functioning
abilities (frontal lobe)
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I - initiate
S - sustain
I - inhibit
S - shift
Procrastinators have
weak EF abilities
 Problem is with selfregulation
 Good news is that
improvement can be
made

www.ectutoring.com
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8. What Are the First Steps?
Student must want to
improve
 Recognize “giving in to
feel good”
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www.ectutoring.com
Fork in the road
Post Instagram photo or
start math?
Send a few texts or begin
bibliography?
Stop, engage in self-talk
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9. Just Start
www.ectutoring.com
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10. Set the Bar LOW by Time or Task

Strategies our tutors
use:
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“Tolerable ten”
“Five minutes of fury”
Do first two problems
Study five vocab words
Create a title page and
add one source to
bibliography
Use a hula-hoop or
“one song” approach 
Success breeds success
www.ectutoring.com
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11. Create a “Distraction-Limited” Area
Find multiple locations
 Distraction-free as
possible
 Computer in public
place
 Limit open applications
 Have a homework
routine – depends on
student’s age

www.ectutoring.com
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12. Managing Distractions from Media

Distractions – different
for each student
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www.ectutoring.com
Music – okay for rote
memorization, not for
tests
TV – never good
Texting and FOMO –
Consider a “tech break”
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13. Other Strategies
Time Travel
 Forgiveness
 “This is probably a
bad idea”
 The 80/20 rule
 Outside help:

ectutoring.com/
educational-coaching
www.ectutoring.com
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14. Free resources
www.ectutoring.com
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15. Q&A and Contact Info
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Contact Info
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Ann Dolin
ann@ectutoring.com
www.ectutoring.com
703.934.8282
Thank you for attending!
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