Desirče Alfaro
12.15.2008
Managing Time in College
Managing time seems to be a common problem. It definitely takes a toll on college students. With a busy schedule it is very hard to get everything done, including work, school, personal life, friends, and the party life. The main problem is procrastination. Just about all college students procrastinate.
A psychologist estimated that 90% of college students procrastinate. Of these students, 25% are chronic procrastinators and they are usually the ones who end up dropping out of college. Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task, which needs to be accomplished. It is a lure for procrastinators to do unimportant things. In time, this can lead to feelings of guilt, depression and self-doubt among students. Procrastination has a high potential for painful consequences on people who cannot tolerate stress. It makes them feel weak, useless and helpless. It interferes with students’ academic and personal success. But procrastinators can cut the bad habits if they recognize the reasons and understand the tricks.
Not managing
time wisely is another way of defining procrastination. Some reason for this is
either the student is bored with the subject, isn’t challenged enough, too
tired, overworked, distracted and 
sidetracked. When a student is
at their desk daydreaming instead of doing the assignment that needs to be done
their surroundings are disturbing and loud. They keep going back and forth for
a pencil, eraser, notebook etc. Their desk is just a mess so they lye on their
bed and do homework or study. All of these are examples that encourage wasting
time and irritation. After all this time the student finds themselves looking
at a blank paper and stressing out on all the time they wasted doing a whole
bunch of nothing. Then they finally realize that the assignment has to be done,
and just rush through it, not taking their time and doing the work they are
capable of.
As a student,
I have noticed one of my friends, Ericka, is a big procrastinator. From what
she had told me in our interview she procrastinates because she loses track of
time, and due dates. “If I know I have a few weeks to do any assignment, I
definitely don’t start at the first chance I get.” My question to that
statement was, why not, and her reply, “Because I just feel that I can finish
it better under pressure knowing that I have to get it done, rather than doing
it ahead of time. It’s just something I do, I have always done it.” According
to Ericka she thinks working in stress and under pressure helps her accomplish
an assignment faster, and with doing this she feels that she does a better job.
But she did admit that it does take a toll on her, because some times she
panics and gives up with finishing the assignment all together. “Even though I
work good under pressure, I give up easily under it as
well.” (Ruiz, Ericka [FIDM Student]. Procrastination
Interview.
“It may be hard to get started on an essay or paper that is due a few weeks down the line. Some and most students can write a great paper the night before and get away with it. What really happens is all the conflicting deadlines and homework come crashing down on the student; this causes a poorer quality of work, lack of sleep and declining grades. And the biggest one of all, the stress that comes with all these deadlines. According to some students, they choose to slack off because it feels good to sit back, relax and enjoy the day, this means setting all the work aside for a while.”( “Motivation and Procrastination in College.” Campus Grotto. It’s not exactly the best choice but many students do it either way.
Overcoming
procrastination is the solution for this. Students must teach themselves to use
time wisely, by setting priorities. Sometimes saying no can help! Say no to
that party, that date and other activities on the day assignments need and can
be done. It’s important to focus on doing work in a study environment. If
playing music and drinking coffee are what’s needed to survive, then use it.
Trying to do something all at once can lead to an information overload, and
will bring a person right back to square one. Finding time and putting time
aside is best for procrastinators.
The student must dwell on success not on failure. Study in groups if people are
a need for motivation. 
Break large
assignments into small tasks. Keep a reminder schedule and a checklist for organization.
Eliminate or minimize noise or any type of distraction. Make sure that the
light is adequate for the eyes. Don’t waste time going back and forth for
utensils; make sure everything needed is in hand reach. Don’t get to
comfortable when studying. A desk and straight-backed chair is usually the best
(a bed is no place to study). Make sure everything is neat; take a few minutes
to straighten the desk because this reduces daydreaming. And lastly get the
work done, and feel proud and not stressed because when that deadline comes,
everything is done and there are no worries.
After reading on how to help procrastinators, I explained to Ericka what to do to try to help her not procrastinate with her next assignment. She said, “I think working with other people really helps, because I know I’m not alone. I mean we both have to get it finished anyways, and she helped motivate me to finish it faster than usual.” I had asked her if motivation from another person was all she needed. She replied. “No, even though you said to eliminate noise I found that music helps me concentrate better as well. But I did notice that working at a desk of some sort rather than my bed was the best idea yet.” Did you finish your assignment on time? “Yes, I finished, and I realized how much more free time I had. It is so much better rather than having fun with stress in the back of my mind. Now I can just go anywhere and not worry about anything because I know everything is taken care of.” Do you think you broke your habit with procrastinating? “Probably not, I think it’s like an addiction, you have to find ways to deal and treat it. That is what I am going to work on. But I definitely know that when I do procrastinate I am going to be mad at myself, because I am aware of ways to prevent it now. You officially took away my old excuses. Thanks!”
Even though
procrastination is common among students, there is always a solution. There 
isn’t going to always
be an excuse to get out of doing a paper. Students must learn to manage their
time, and they will succeed in everything they do. It may take time, but being
patient is a major step to overcoming it. Once the student has figured out a
way to get past the laziness they won’t want to go back to their old habit.
Soon after, procrastination will be something in the past, and students will
have a brighter stress free future to look forward to.
Work Cited:
·
Ruiz, Ericka [FIDM Student]. Procrastination Interview.