The 5 Stages Of Homework | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

The 5 Stages Of Homework

From the perspective of a procrastinator.

117
The 5 Stages Of Homework

Stage 1: Reception

The Oxford Dictionary defines reception as "the action or process of receiving something sent, given or inflicted." In this case, you feel the latter.

"Why would you give this to me, on top of the seven research papers I have to write, the eight books i have to read that I haven't even started yet, and they're all due next week?!"

There is a sense of betrayal, like something has destroyed the entirety of your soul. But you stand up, knowing you can conquer it, because it's just another homework assignment. You can do this.

Stage 2: Determination


You take the assignment, whip it out and stare at the keyboard in front of you. You begin. MLA formatted heading with your name, date, professor, and the class name, a title and your last name in the top right hand corner. It looks sharp. Professional. Blank. You begin to write your introduction. That's when it begins to descend. Your first sentence goes through draft after draft after draft as you're trying to find the words, but they just won't come. The screen or paper stares back at you with the glaring word "The" and nothing else to back it up. You decide you should probably collect your articles for your works cited page, so you pull up the Internet browser.

It is your worst mistake.

Stage 3: Temptation



Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Pinterest or whatever else you have begins to cry out to you. "Come here check your notifications!" "You have a new follower!" "Pay attention to me!" These are the things they scream. And, as if it was a puppy that just won't leave you alone, you can't resist the temptation to pet it. Or simply open up the browser and spend the next hour flipping between your newsfeed and the school's library page, half-heartedly attempting to find articles while engrossed in all of the content at your fingertips.

Suddenly, you realize something.

This paper isn't due until next Wednesday! And it's only 10 pages. You can do it over the weekend. This thought soothes you like a large and unhealthy dessert, and slowly you grow more and more comfortable with it. "I'm not doing anything on Saturday. It's perfect!" And then, you succumb.

Stage 4: Distraction



This is the phase of complete rejection of the assignment. It begins to flee from your memory as you enjoy all sorts of various activities. Video gaming, board gaming, card gaming, social activities, dates or what have you populate your existence as you wallow in denial and pretend that it's all going to be OK. But in your heart you know that the fateful day is approaching. Saturday comes and you barely think about your assignment. "I can do it Sunday." On Sunday? "I can do it Monday." On Monday? "I can do it Tuesday."

And then Tuesday comes.

And you were not prepared.

Stage 5: Doomsday Eve

You have absolutely nothing. Your paper is due tomorrow. And you have night class. You did NOT think this through. The weight of the assignment furthers your denial, and you ignore it all day. Now night class is over, and your door is closed. It's just you and a laptop. You stick your headphones in and you sink into that day-before-the-due-date zone, the place where your most efficient work happens. By the end of the night, your paper is done, and you feel a warm sense of relief, knowing that you have averted the disaster of an overdue assignment, something you are very well versed in. You learn a valuable lesson, realizing that you could have done it earlier in the same amount of time and not have had to stress about it for so long. But deep down inside, you know that the cycle is going to repeat itself all over again next time an assignment is received.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

444627
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

18152
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

42395
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21784
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

322206
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments