As a college student, I am constantly being faced with the everlasting option that is,
Should I get a head start on my assignments?
Or
Should I procrastinate on my assignments until the last minute?
Needless to say as a college student, I choose to procrastinate. Time and time again I make the brilliantly well-educated decision to procrastinate. Not only do I procrastinate until the day before the assignment is due, but I procrastinate until the night before. I wait until the sun has sunken out of sight signaling the day’s end.
Why do I do this?
I was forced to answer this question when I had four major assignments due within the same week and I had all weekend to prepare but chose to wait.
I realized that the reason I procrastinate is because I like the pressure. So often growing up we would hear the phrase “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” If you can’t stand the pressure or the stress that is the heat, then don’t subject yourself to it. Heat and the kitchen go together as school and stress typically do, and I have come to realize that for me, stress is pressure and I need pressure. But I don’t just need the pressure, I want it! I know that without pressure, I wouldn’t get my assignments done as well because I like the idea that I am under a time crunch and have to get things done soon.
I need the pressure to get things done so badly that when I am working on an assignment at 12 p.m. that is due in the morning, and I realize how easy the paper is actually going to be to get done, then I will take an hour break from the assignment and watch YouTube videos or play video games until I feel a sufficient amount of pressure to get the work done.
It’s weird and unnatural really, but pressure is my drive to get work done. I strive under pressure and I can’t be the only one because I see the other student in the library 'til closing with books and notes sprawled out across the table tops, jamming to their music and in their groove with quick typing hands and eyes bouncing back and forth from computer screen to books and notes then back to the screen.
Pressure isn’t always bad. It can be a driving force to getting things done, but you have to know your limits.
What works for you? Do you procrastinate and work well under the pressure, or do you get things done ahead of time? There is no right or wrong really, just what works best for the individual.
