Procrastinator! This word that in spelling and tone designed as an insult.
As result of the traumatic May exams, Carlos Poole de Donesteve, 3rd year student of Degree of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), shares with us a brief reflection on procrastination. That word that stalks us all... on the break straw, at the door of the Library Services, in the lead sheets. But what if we told you that it is possible to procrastinate productively? Would you believe us?
Procrastination, that damn word that haunts us all, students and non-students alike. Who hasn't had it happen to you that instead of studying for that exam the next day, you prefer to dive into the depths of Twitter, Instagram or TikTok, getting lost in a sea of memes and reels that seem to have no end? And when you realize that time has passed without you having done anything, in the purest unconsciousness, and in the most perfect amorality. That "responsibility" that lurked omnipresent suddenly jumps out and leaves its peculiar mark, remorse. Dear procrastinator, what if I told you that there is a way to get around remorse? To procrastinate productively? You read that right, procrastinate productively!
The idea is simple: instead of wasting time on useless activities, you can do something that allows you to rest and at the same time brings a long-term benefit deadline. At summary, it is a doubly positive activity.
Imagine you're studying for that crucial exam, but you can't concentrate for more than ten minutes without your mind wandering to other subjects. Instead of continuing to wander, you can do something that helps you clear your head, such as grocery shopping for the week, walking the dog, or playing sports for a while. This way, you not only rest and recharge your energy, but also get ahead on tasks that are irreplaceable.
Another common example is the unmanageable work at the end of Degree or closer to home, the rehearsals for a final examination. After hours of reading articles and taking notes, there comes a point where your brain cells need a break. Instead of wasting time on Netflix or watching Instagram stories for the umpteenth time, you can do something that will help you with your work. Maybe read an enjoyable novel about a topic related to the subject you are studying, discuss the work with a friend, or watch a documentary about the context of the work. In this way, you will not only be resting your head, but you will also be feeding creativity and giving it another approach.
Now, make no mistake; procrastinating productively does not mean that you can spend all day doing activities that have nothing to do with your programs of study. Sooner or later, you will have to sit down and do the hard work . But productive procrastination can be that useful tool that allows you to lighten up work, that well-deserved mental break, and, at the same time, that source of satisfaction for doing something useful.
At final, the solution for the procrastinator does not lie in the stoicism of refusing to rest and forcing oneself to study. Nor is it in the negligence of turning a blind eye to responsibility whenever it looms. It is about considering the student's portrait in its full breadth and approaching responsibilities with all resources including a rewarding and well-deserved break. This can be an effective solution internship for all those who need a mental break but do not want to feel the burden of remorse.
So, is it possible to study and rest at the same time? Definitely. You just have to find the right activities that allow you to do both. So, dear procrastinator, there is still hope, you can now break the old tables "to a good procrastinator few hours are enough" for the new "for the productive procrastinator time is more than gold, rest."
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