Deirdra Harris Glover
Managing Editor
If procrastination is a game, the only way to win is not to play, according to the “Master the Art of Procrastination” seminar held by the Richard Wright Center for Writing, Rhetoric and Research on Sept. 13. The event was open to students, faculty and staff members.
“We naturally procrastinate as writers or students because we have so many competing obligations, deadlines. Sometimes things slip away, and sometimes we have to focus on other things,” explains Tatiana Glushko, coordinator of the Wright Center.
Three false perceptions people unwittingly use to avoid and procrastinate are
• Waiting for perfection: this is the idea that the right amount of time, physical space, and equipment will magically occur, making it easy to finish tasks
• No strain, no gain: you work best under pressure, and
•Productive procrastination: doing all your laundry in favor of another task
Ashley Thornton, a sophomore business administration major from Atlanta was surprised to learn her coping strategy was common.
“I am a world-class procrastinator… I have always believed that I do my best work close to the deadline because then I have no choice but to complete the assignment for class,” said Thornton.
The seminar detailed how students are affected by the choice to put off homework assignments, studying and major projects. Grades aren’t the only things that suffer.
Therapist Andrea Perry, author of “It’s About Time and The Little Procrastination Book”, links a variety of physical, emotional and mental effects to procrastination, including depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, elevated blood pressure and irritability.
Glushko is quick to point out that procrastination can have lasting effects on personal relationships and career goals.
“Many things can happen and it’s not just students that procrastinate, even the faculty procrastinates. I advise everyone to keep a planner to assist in their daily deadlines to stay encouraged and monitor their daily progress,” said Glushko.
Glushko feels seminars like this are helpful to the campus because they highlight valuable resources that are available, and will help students learn to reach out for assistance long before assignments are due.
Thornton found the seminar useful, and hopes the lessons will stick.
“I will try to apply the information from the seminar to my studies in hopes that I won’t wait till last minute and be stressed,” Thornton said.
If you need more information or assistance in writing, don’t procrastinate! Visit the Wright Center at the H. T. Sampson Library, or contact Kathi Griffin at 601.979.0989 or Glushko at 601.979.1777 for further assistance.
According to information given at the seminar, the following tips can help with procrastination.
- There will always be too much for you to do: are you doing the right things to move forward in your life?
- Break it down: a large project often contains multiple elements. Define those elements as individual tasks or milestones.
- Make a Smart To-Do List: include the items that you tend to avoid, and set deadlines for the milestones you defined.
- Eliminate temptation: to do something else: shut down social media, silence your phone, and get comfortable before you begin.
- Treat yourself: if your tasks are complete, you can have fun without feelings of guilt.
Bernice Brown contributed to this story.
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