Examining Procrastination in Online Learning Environments: Implications for Student Performance

Academic procrastination, defined as the tendency of students to delay or postpone completing academic tasks, such as studying for an exam, doing homework, or writing an essay has become very common these days. Studies show that every four out of every five college students are affected by academic procrastination, nearly affecting all college students. These already concerning numbers have probably surged even further post the pandemic because so many students are now taking their classes online and having to deal with increased stress and loneliness. Within this context, this study examines the direct effects of procrastination on student's performance. We also examined whether social media learning through platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook mediate the relationship between procrastination and student's performance. Using an online survey, the data was collected from 240 students studying at a private university in India. The data was analyzed using structure equation modeling (SEM) and mediation analysis. The findings indicate that procrastination has a negative connection with social media learning and student's performance. It was also found that engaging in social media learning positively correlates with student performance, implying that utilizing social media for educational purposes is associated with enhanced performance. Additionally, the findings suggest that utilizing social media for learning can mitigate the negative impact of procrastination on student performance. This study highlights that educators and policymakers should consider integrating social media tools into educational practices and developing strategies to address procrastination effectively, promoting positive learning outcomes and student well-being.