Dear Lazy Student,
As a college student, my go-to phrase is "I'll do it later," whether it is about studying, showering, or reading that book I've been meaning to start. The moment laziness kicks in, everything seems to shut down, which is justifiable because of long days on campus and our extensive to-do lists. All I want to do is plop on my bed and Netflix binge in order to forget all of my responsibilities. Laziness kicks in, big time, as it does with thousands of other students. But in doing so, are we really doing what we are called to do as students?
I learned in my four years that the longer I wait, the deeper I fall into a state of complacency. Suddenly I find myself disregarding previous engagements and pushing what was once important to me aside. Nothing seems urgent anymore because I remind myself that "I'll do it later". We have all been there because once you put yourself in that position, getting out of that rut is so much more difficult. However, whether you stay in that place or not is up to you.
Staying in one place for a little too long does more harm than good. You start telling yourself that the season you're in is fine and that you should be able to get over it soon enough. Every time I am somehow able to shake the laziness off, I tell myself how stupid I am and that I should never fall into this pattern again. But It isn't long before I find myself back at square one. And thus begins a vicious cycle. Let us not fall into that momentum. Simply start the task at hand; you lose nothing but have the opportunity to gain so much more. Be proactive in your daily life, because productivity never hurt anyone.
Of course, there will be days when you call a self-proclaimed holiday and take a break. By all means, take them, because everyone should have those days every once in a while. But don't let your laziness and sheer lack of motivation keep you in that position. Once you simply begin the assignment, put on the gym clothes, or open the book, you're already 80% there. The remaining 20% is building the discipline to continue and persevere through.
If Nike's international slogan isn't enough to stir your heart, perhaps Shia Lebeouf's motivating motions can.
Sincerely,
Another Lazy Student (albeit work in progress)
