University students say procrastination is biggest threat to their academic performance

The study suggests procrastination could be a factor in a ‘vicious cycle’ that can cause or exaggerate other issues such as stress. Photograph: Maskot/Getty Images

Procrastination is the biggest problem that can harm students’ academic performance at university, according to a study of more than 65,000 young people who placed it above issues such as ADHD, anxiety or financial worries.

The study found that nearly half of the students surveyed named procrastination as the thing damaging their ability to do academic work, more than twice the number who named depression, while the same proportion said procrastination caused them significant distress above any other problems including family pressures or bullying.