Evaluating pharmacy student perceptions and effectiveness of procrastination prevention events

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Academic Performance
• Student Well-being

Background:

• Procrastination is prevalent among college students, negatively impacting academic success.
• Effective procrastination avoidance strategies are crucial for enhancing learning efficiency, particularly in demanding Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore pharmacy students' perceptions of student-organized Procrastination Prevention Events (PPEs).
• To assess the impact of participation in PPEs on students' assessment grades.

Main Methods:

• The Rho Chi Society organized quarterly, voluntary PPEs for PharmD students (PY1-PY3) before challenging assessments.
• Events included faculty-led reviews, peer-led study sessions, and interactive learning activities.
• Attendance was tracked, and anonymous exit surveys were used to gather perception data. Assessment scores were compared between attendees and non-attendees.

Main Results:

• A total of 153 students participated in the surveys, with most being female, under 25, and without children.
• Student perceptions of the PPEs were overwhelmingly positive.
• While most assessment score comparisons between attendees and non-attendees were not statistically significant, the Immunology assessment showed improved scores for attendees.

Conclusions:

• Despite not significantly improving most assessment scores, students perceived value in attending PPEs.
• Further investigation is recommended to understand the overall impact of these events and establish best practices for their implementation.