Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

Procrastination - a.k.a. Week Three

Korrin B.

October 11, 2009 - 11:58 PM

Let's just call it what is it. One of the goals of this blogging program is to engage readers that may be alumni. Therefore, it is nice to write about aspects of the UO campus and of the student experience that bring a sense of nostalgia to the readers. Today's (well, tonight's and almost this morning's) topic will be one that I believe a good nine out of ten will be able to relate to. There always has to be that one person who's just so perfect despite how closely you look. How do they do that anyway? Moving on...ok, alumni, how many of you can remember those college nights, usually a Sunday around midnight, where you all of a sudden realize that you have procrastinated your entire week away and are now faced with a Monday morning deadline? I know you're nodding your head and smiling. Do not be ashamed, for you are in good company. Let's just call it what it is - procrastinators anonymous.

Week one is a beautiful week. It's a fresh start. It's new and intriguing classes. It's the joy of knowing you're still in college and don't have to worry about permanently joining the work force yet. During week one, you get to see all of your friends again and watch as the campus comes alive.

Week two is pretty great. By week two you have realized that you have chosen some great classes and you're still feeling pretty on top of everything. You're still saying hi to everyone that you haven't seen since the last term. You're still sitting on the steps of the EMU, watching the campus blossom with students.

Week three, you realize the honeymoon is over. Yeah, so, it looks like that reading that you put off for the first two weeks, just because you could, is now due. That paper you got assigned four days ago? Yeah, that's due too. Oh, and remember how you're suppose to write two blogs a week for the University of Oregon, not just one? Yeah, that's due tomorrow. Oh, and don't forget that you're starting work tomorrow. Remember how you were suppose to be planning for the past two weeks what you were going to do with the kids at your work? Well, it should be planned since work with the kids is, as stated before, starting tomorrow. Week three begins the rest of a ten weeklong term of getting your life back together.

Ok, I'm exaggerating a little bit, but in the heat of the moment when the procrastinator realizes their fault, everything seems a little more dramatic than it really is. This is the part you need to remember and this is the part that always pulls me through, lands me back on my feet. I just acknowledge my problem (procrastination), stand tall, face the mirror, look myself in the eye, and say, "I've got this." Then I knowingly nod my head and get to work.

Week four is when you've caught up and understand the routine.