As the fall semester approaches its end, many students are realizing they have spent the majority of their time procrastinating like no one’s business. According to a recent study at the University of Calgary, procrastination occurs in an estimated 80 to 95 percent of college students.
Admit it, most of you have fallen victim to putting off that 10-page paper an extra day or two for a chance at partying, heading to an event at the University Unions, playing video games like Modern Warfare 3 and Skyrim or just mindlessly sitting in front of your laptop.
In the end, wasted time adds up. So how can you succeed after a semester’s worth of procrastination?
Unfortunately, time travel is currently impossible, so you can’t hop inside of a DeLorean to go back and retrieve those lost hours of studying. So take a deep breath and relax before playing catch-up. There will be varying amounts of work depending on the class and level of procrastination that took place between August and December.
With so little time left, try to make the most of it by eliminating distractions. It’s tempting to go Downtown one last time or hang out in your friend’s dorm, but work should become your first priority.
Alena Klimchenko, a freshman majoring in accounting, sticks by this advice.
“I procrastinate, but I still get my stuff done by the due date,” Klimchenko said. “If I have to forfeit something enjoyable because of procrastination, I don’t bitch about it because it was my fault that I avoided doing the work.”
Eliminate distractions by going to the Glenn G. Bartle Library alone. In some cases, you don’t need a friend to study with or a laptop to use. Go without them to rid yourself of the temptation to procrastinate. Take 10-minute breaks when needed to clear your mind and be sure to have snacks within reach.
However, you might need a study buddy if you’re struggling with a class. If you’ve been avoiding getting involved with a study group, take advantage of one now. You might just learn something.
You may also have big classes that require tons of reading. Most of these classes have teaching assistants who hold review sessions before the final. Look into going to one, especially if you’re behind. The information given could help cut your studying in half. You might only have to re-read 25 pages of a chapter instead of 50.
The same can be said for office hours. If you haven’t met with your professor, do it soon. Yes, it’s late in the semester, but if you need help, then it will be beneficial.
Also, for that English class you didn’t read any of the books for, use Google and read journal articles, which can be many times more helpful than struggling to read the book itself.
In this final stretch of the semester, you should also manage your time. Classes are ending, which gives you extra time to get work done.
Suzie Choi, a junior majoring in psychology, admits to being a procrastinator and is an advocate of all-nighters.
“I’ve pulled all-nighters for a lot of my classes, like the Psych 111 class I took freshman year,” Choi said. “It’s what helps me do well in my classes.”
If it really comes down to it, all-nighters might be necessary. However, do not rely on caffeine and energy drinks to get you through the night. Stash up on fruits and anything with carbohydrates or protein. This will prevent crashing later on.
A lot of these suggestions are straightforward, but it seems as though we don’t heed this advice. Do what you have to do. Finish the semester strong, vow to never procrastinate again and repeat the same cycle next semester.