About 30 students attended a procrastination seminar last night, but over one-third arrived late. Of course, they were planning to come on time yet something stole their attention--maybe it was a snack, a cigarette break or a beer.

The event was sponsored by the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and led by Will Wadlington, associate director of clinical services at CAPS, and Ryan Lee, a doctoral intern.

After showing a clip of "Tales of Mere Existence," a comic animation by Lev Yilmaz about procrastination and "getting stuff done," both Wadlington and Lee spoke about what procrastination is, what causes it and how it can be overcome.

"Procrastination is not just behavior. It's related to a psychological being," said Lee.

He continued that the behavior is reinforced through self-reward.

Students in attendance said that they fill their time with alternatives, such as snacking, smoking, playing video games, sleeping, making a to-do list and socializing.

Wadlington said it is normal to accomplish other tasks to substitute what really needs to be done while still feeling productive.

Many of the students attended the event to meet course requirements.

Jeanine Buczynski (freshman-accounting) came to the seminar for extra credit in her health class.

"I'm a serial procrastinator," she said, and admitted that she began to procrastinate in grade school.

She came hoping to help break the habit and left with knowledge of the underlying causes of the pattern.

Rosemarie Hibbler, academic advisor and instructor for Recreation, Park and Tourism Management said she requires her first-year seminar students to attend one CAPS seminar.

"The procrastination seminar is the most popular," she said.

Nine students from her class attended last night and she said many others will attend the presentation on coping with exam stress later in the semester.

Hibbler participated in the discussion herself, saying that procrastination is something that everyone struggles with.

"We suspect that procrastination is an age-old problem that has been with us since the dawn of time," said Wadlington.