As I sit at my desk on a Wednesday afternoon, stressed to the max, with only three weeks left of my freshman year at college, the last thing I want to do is write a 10- 15 page Capstone paper… procrastination has gotten the best of me.
Putting off work or school assignments is something that every college student will do.
pro-cras-ti-na-tion | noun
the action of delaying or postponing something: your first tip is to avoid procrastination
The definition of procrastination even tells you what you need to do. Avoid Procrastination. Don’t we wish it was that simple.
The thing that the dictionary doesn’t understand is that for a real procrastinator, procrastination isn't optional— it is something they don’t know how to not do.
The sudden freedom when going to college may be a disaster for some— you may do nothing ever, for no specific reason.
We all vow to never procrastinate again, after those all nighters before papers are due or before finals. We fall into the same trap every single time…
The stages of Procrastination every semester:
Stage 1: The semester begins
Syllabus week, you enter the class room excited to learn and take full advantage of the semester. Your dorm room desk is pristine and all your school supplies is neatly organized in the desk and the drawers. Every class has a special color dedicated to it, whether it be binders, notebooks or folders. Every class assignment is written down in your super cute planner and you record and plan every minute of everyday.
Stage 2: Your first paper, test or homework is assigned
This is your first assignment of the school year, get ready. You plan to get it done the second it is assigned. But wait, its the beginning of the semester and you really want to go out on Thursday with your friends…. the project can wait.
Stage 3: Relaxation
After the initial shock is over you realize that you actually have academic responsibilities, you have to keep that GPA to stay at the college you are at. The project has just been assigned, but hey no worries, you got this.
Stage 4: Denial
At this point a week has passed since your professor has assigned the project. You almost forgot about it (because you haven't looked at the syllabus since syllabus week) until a classmate asks you how far along you are with it.
At this stage of procrastination, if you don't think about it, does it really exist?
Stage 5: Realization
It has been over a month since you and your classmates were informed of the due date. The teacher drops a quick reminder on Blackboard that the assignment is due in two days.
You realize yet again that you have become part of procrastination nation.
Stage 6: The night before
The project is due in less than 24 hours. You are allowed to panic now. Go to the cafeteria and get a few energy drinks and sit by yourself in the library until you finish it. The library is really your best friend at this stage.
Stage 7 : Motivation
Don’t worry we have all been there. Feel free to text your friends GroupMe, at least one person will have some kind words of wisdom and be your motivation to keep chugging those energy drinks. They will give you the most inspiring late-night pep talks, it may be one for the record books.
Stage 8: Hyperdrive
At this point, you are about to crush this project. You have about an hour left of work to do before you call it quits and drag yourself across campus to the warmth of your bed. The quality of the work is very questionable, but you really don't care.
Stage 9: Crossing the finish line
You have been in the library for what feels like days, you have no idea if it is day or night outside. You have one more sentence to finish and you are officially done with the project. It may be 4 am and you may be exhausted, but throw that breakfast club fist pump up in the air — you made it.
Stage 10: The next morning
You tell your roommates that you just had the most stressful nights of your life and you only got a total of two hours of sleep. You may feel like you are dying, but you have to push through.
Stage 11: You Made it
You literally drag yourself out of bed and into the classroom. You agree that you will never put off an assignment like that again. That is until you look at the syllabus and realize there are three major assignments left in the class.
I wish the best of luck to everyone finishing the semester strong, the next three weeks are about to be very busy-- just try not to procrastinate.
