Spring Break
Halfway there
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
10/28/08 - With midterms wrapping up, University of Rhode Island students across campus are letting out sighs of relief.
Yes, it's halfway through the semester, but don't think that means it's all downhill from here. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The rest of this semester, for most, is likely going to be an uphill battle.
Blame it on procrastination. If there is one thing that hinders progress most, many college students would give credit to that nasty 'P' word.
After a long day of classes and trudging across campus, it's tempting to come home and zone out.
Video games, Instant Messenger, TV shows - these are all great distractions from the seemingly torturous homework assignments most students have piling up.
But it sure is funny how that quick Facebook check suddenly turns into spending the better half of the evening stalking former high school friends, or how that "short" nap turns into a five-hour snooze.
Before you know it, it's 3 a.m. and you've got three sentences, and seven more pages to go on tomorrow's term paper.
"How did it get so late!?" you'll ask.
We've all had those rough semesters, where it seems like things never stop and you just can't dig your way out of that mountain of homework and presentations, and it's tempting to slack off, but be aware procrastination doesn't just affect your grades.
According to the American Psychological Association, procrastination often spills into other areas of student's life. A 2002 study found that college students who procrastinate also have bad habits when it comes to sleep, exercise and diets.
So, to avoid the malaise of procrastination, make the most of your time by outlining your goals. Next, get rid of anything that might distract you.
Turn off the TV. Make your roommate hide the remote control if you have to.
When writing papers, avoid excessive surfing of the Internet by temporarily disabling your connection. Turn the cell phone off, too. That's what voicemail is for.
It sounds extreme, but it's distractions like these that are some of the most serious progress-inhibitors.
Lastly, keep the coffee coming. Grueling tasks (like that term paper) turn out a lot better when you are alert.
And don't forget to give yourself breaks. It's okay to relax every now and then. It just might give your brain the boost it needs to get through that last chapter.
And if you become frustrated, don't give up, you're halfway there.
Yes, it's halfway through the semester, but don't think that means it's all downhill from here. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The rest of this semester, for most, is likely going to be an uphill battle.
Blame it on procrastination. If there is one thing that hinders progress most, many college students would give credit to that nasty 'P' word.
After a long day of classes and trudging across campus, it's tempting to come home and zone out.
Video games, Instant Messenger, TV shows - these are all great distractions from the seemingly torturous homework assignments most students have piling up.
But it sure is funny how that quick Facebook check suddenly turns into spending the better half of the evening stalking former high school friends, or how that "short" nap turns into a five-hour snooze.
Before you know it, it's 3 a.m. and you've got three sentences, and seven more pages to go on tomorrow's term paper.
"How did it get so late!?" you'll ask.
We've all had those rough semesters, where it seems like things never stop and you just can't dig your way out of that mountain of homework and presentations, and it's tempting to slack off, but be aware procrastination doesn't just affect your grades.
According to the American Psychological Association, procrastination often spills into other areas of student's life. A 2002 study found that college students who procrastinate also have bad habits when it comes to sleep, exercise and diets.
So, to avoid the malaise of procrastination, make the most of your time by outlining your goals. Next, get rid of anything that might distract you.
Turn off the TV. Make your roommate hide the remote control if you have to.
When writing papers, avoid excessive surfing of the Internet by temporarily disabling your connection. Turn the cell phone off, too. That's what voicemail is for.
It sounds extreme, but it's distractions like these that are some of the most serious progress-inhibitors.
Lastly, keep the coffee coming. Grueling tasks (like that term paper) turn out a lot better when you are alert.
And don't forget to give yourself breaks. It's okay to relax every now and then. It just might give your brain the boost it needs to get through that last chapter.
And if you become frustrated, don't give up, you're halfway there.
