Analysis of Personality Traits as Predictors of Academic Procrastination at the University Level

Abstract

Personality is represented by its traits, which express the patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. It is inferred that different personality traits have different behaviour patterns. If talking about procrastination, it is a one of behavioral pattern characterized by the extent to delay a task which is important to do. It means there might be link between personality traits and procrastination. In context of educational research, exploration of role of personality traits in displaying procrastination has gained attention. Therefore, current study was designed to examine the link between personality traits with academic procrastination. Descriptive survey design was used to collect data from undergraduate students of University of Sargodha. Data from 380 students of 6th and 8th semesters from seven departments were gathered through multistage sampling technique. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Results revealed that the personality traits, including Agreeableness and Neuroticism were significantly predicting academic procrastination. Based on findings, it is recommended that students become aware of their personality traits to manage their tendency to delay academic tasks and minimize academic procrastination, particularly those exhibiting agreeableness and neuroticism traits. Based on findings, it is suggested that academic institutions may organized personality traits awareness seminars so that students can manage their tendency to delay academic tasks and minimize academic procrastination, particularly those exhibiting Agreeableness and Neuroticism traits.