Procrastination is one word that will forever be deemed the most-used term among college students. We’ve all been to Procrastination Station, and realized that Facebook is really spelled P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N, but today, I finally decided to take that train to Procrastination, and explain why, sometimes, we just really do need it.
Now I’m not saying to not do any work… because that’s just bad. You’ll end up playing Call of Duty all night, and then have last-minute math homework to do; but then since you’re scrambling to complete the math homework, you then have no time to study for your quiz, and end up doing badly.
Small Doses
Procrastination is ONLY good in small doses. I understand how Duty calls, and I understand how the intricacies of Facebook’s constant interface updates are difficult and take a lot of time to map out. Because I understand this, I also understand that some nights, we just can’t force ourselves to function. Usually, this lack of function—or burn out—happens when we finish writing a 15 page research paper, or we finally knock that ridiculously hard mid-term out of the ball park. I say, cheers! Your noggin deserves some rest.
Effective Prioritizing
When you can prioritize all of your tasks (whether it’s doing your laundry, changing your sheets, doing the dishes, or reading a chapter of your anatomy book) then you know when and how much you can afford visiting the Station. Some of you may be thinking, “Laundry? That’s not that important…” but—have you ever made a to-do list of all the things you had to do? And then, did you end up doing the tasks that required less brain activity? And, have you ever run out of clean underwear or clean socks? Then you know that laundry is indeed important, and not an act of procrastination.
If you have to do laundry, and you have to do work, but don’t feel like doing the work yet because you’re not “mentally prepared” yet, then grab your detergent and head to the washing machine, and at least practice your clean hygiene efforts. There are ways you can turn your to-do list into procrastination time (i.e. washing dishes and doing laundry). Make those easier tasks ways to “procrastinate,” or to just give your brain a break.
Brain Farts
Have you ever studied so heavily, or banged out a research paper so condensely that finishing the task up just seems like you’re on the last six-mile leg of a marathon? (It’s okay to admit it; I’ve had that feeling too). These are called—or at least I dub them—brain farts, and I know you’re with me. When our brain farts, or starts drawing blanks, I think then, and only then, is the perfect opportunity to utilize Facebook or C.O.D. as your gateway to the Station. Otherwise, if you’re avoiding your to-do list altogether, then you really are just wasting time.
Using Procrastination Wisely
By Soriana Stern · October 21st, 2011 · Graduate, School, Student Life, Testing · Comments
21 October
Procrastination is one word that will forever be deemed the most-used term among college students. We’ve all been to Procrastination Station, and realized that Facebook is really spelled P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N, but today, I finally decided to take that train to Procrastination, and explain why, sometimes, we just really do need it.
Now I’m not saying to not do any work… because that’s just bad. You’ll end up playing Call of Duty all night, and then have last-minute math homework to do; but then since you’re scrambling to complete the math homework, you then have no time to study for your quiz, and end up doing badly.
Small Doses
Procrastination is ONLY good in small doses. I understand how Duty calls, and I understand how the intricacies of Facebook’s constant interface updates are difficult and take a lot of time to map out. Because I understand this, I also understand that some nights, we just can’t force ourselves to function. Usually, this lack of function—or burn out—happens when we finish writing a 15 page research paper, or we finally knock that ridiculously hard mid-term out of the ball park. I say, cheers! Your noggin deserves some rest.
Effective Prioritizing
When you can prioritize all of your tasks (whether it’s doing your laundry, changing your sheets, doing the dishes, or reading a chapter of your anatomy book) then you know when and how much you can afford visiting the Station. Some of you may be thinking, “Laundry? That’s not that important…” but—have you ever made a to-do list of all the things you had to do? And then, did you end up doing the tasks that required less brain activity? And, have you ever run out of clean underwear or clean socks? Then you know that laundry is indeed important, and not an act of procrastination.
If you have to do laundry, and you have to do work, but don’t feel like doing the work yet because you’re not “mentally prepared” yet, then grab your detergent and head to the washing machine, and at least practice your clean hygiene efforts. There are ways you can turn your to-do list into procrastination time (i.e. washing dishes and doing laundry). Make those easier tasks ways to “procrastinate,” or to just give your brain a break.
Brain Farts
Have you ever studied so heavily, or banged out a research paper so condensely that finishing the task up just seems like you’re on the last six-mile leg of a marathon? (It’s okay to admit it; I’ve had that feeling too). These are called—or at least I dub them—brain farts, and I know you’re with me. When our brain farts, or starts drawing blanks, I think then, and only then, is the perfect opportunity to utilize Facebook or C.O.D. as your gateway to the Station. Otherwise, if you’re avoiding your to-do list altogether, then you really are just wasting time.