Procrastination and Academic Performance: A Case Study

Introduction to the Speaker’s Personal History with Procrastination

• The speaker identifies as an "experienced procrastinator," establishing a long-term personal connection to the subject matter.

• The speaker uses their own academic history to illustrate the pervasive nature of procrastination, even when the individual is consciously aware of it.

Academic Case Study: The Public Speaking Assignment

• Context and Setting: The speaker recounts a specific incident from their time in college while enrolled in a public speaking class.

• The Assignment Criteria: The professor required each student to deliver a speech on a topic in which they were an "expert."

• Selection of Topic: The speaker chose "Procrastination" as the subject for their expert speech, reflecting their self-identified proficiency in the behavior.

The Paradox of Preparing a Speech on Procrastination

• Execution of the Task: Despite the speech being centered on procrastination, the speaker "absolutely" procrastinated on the actual writing and preparation of the material.

• Resultant State of Readiness: On the day the speech was scheduled to be delivered, the speaker found themselves completely unprepared to present.

Methods of Avoidance and Excuse Generation

• Internal Monologue: Upon waking up on the morning of the presentation, the speaker's primary focus was to brainstorm a viable excuse to avoid the class.

• Communication with Faculty: The speaker initiated contact with the course professor via email.

• The Specific Excuse: The speaker explicitly told the professor that they had diarrhea as a means to justify their absence and the failure to give the speech.