Procrastination: Bad habit or a way of life in college?
Procrastination. We all take part in it at some point in time or another, each to our own extent and some more often than others.
But why do we put ourselves under the added stress of a rushed deadline?
There are so many reasons why we procrastinate. Sometimes we just have too many other things to do. Sometimes we aren’t feeling motivated enough to work on a project.
Sometimes we get distracted by TV, the Internet or programs and events on campus. Sometimes we are just having too much fun socially to actually want to buckle down and do some work.
I think the main reason is that most of us work better under pressure. I know that I can’t write anything until the midnight hour of the day it’s due.
Give me an early morning with a can of Mountain Dew over a well thought out assignment any day.
If I try to write any sooner than that, I just sit staring at the white screen, unable to capture the swirling thoughts in my head.
And it’s not just this way for writing, either.
We do this for reading assignments, math problems and even studying for tests.
I know that I do considerably better on a test if I’ve crammed the night before (and attended the lectures, of course).
However, this added “stamina” isn’t without a price.
This price includes sleepless nights, dark circles under the eyes, irritableness and a generally stressed out feeling.
Also, you might get a poor grade if you’ve procrastinated for too long or lack comprehension of the material.
Our relationships with others suffer also.
Have you ever snapped at your roommate or a loved one because you procrastinated for too long, especially if they ask why you’ve been delinquent about a project?
I know I’ve had to buy flowers for this reason on more than one occasion.
So, in the end, is procrastination worth it? I wouldn’t think so, but still, we are drawn to it like moths to the fire.
I know that I will always procrastinate things to a certain degree, but hopefully that degree will not always be so severe.
All we can do is learn from the experiences we’ve had with procrastination and make adjustments for the better in the future.
Columnists' opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of The Spectrum