I, like most students, am a classic procrastinator. Also like most students, I start every semester with the mantra “This time it will be different!” in my mind. I have sweet dreams of starting assignments a week ahead of time, at the time they are assigned instead of the night before they are due. I have delusions that I will actually read every word in the text books, and study from the books and from my notes EVEN WHEN THERE ISN’T A TEST IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, just to be sure that the material will stick more easily in my mind.

Of course, these good habits are rare, even in the student with a fabulous work ethic.

However, in grad school, I have become something that is still bad, but such a great improvement over my previous methods that I am proud. I am a “productive procrastinator.” Let’s say, for example, that there are k items on my to-do list this week. Usually one (maybe two) of these tasks is particularly looming and intimidating and I really really don’t want to do it. So, I put off that one thing by doing the other k-1 things on the list. It’s perfect! I feel like I’ve gotten so much done! But I still get the comfort of the familiar. There is still the rushed panic that comes in at the last second when I actually HAVE to get that last thing done that I don’t want to do and there’s nothing else left on my list to take care of first.

In the past week I’ve completed and turned in an algebra assignment, completed a topology assignment, graded exams for my pre-calc students, proofread then re-typed and formatted and printed copies of the quiz I have to give them tomorrow, made a key and grading rubric for the homework they’re turning in this week, proofread a friend’s exam that they have to give to their students, shaved my legs (not school related or really anyone else’s business, but if you’re a girl, you may agree with me that it is an annoying task so I feel like I really accomplished something there), cleaned my apartment (including cleaning out the fridge), did my taxes, re-copied some portions of notes for the classes I’m taking that were lost or on random sheets of paper that needed to be transcribed into my actual notebooks where they belong, and went to two events for a guest speaker in the department. AND I’ve managed to fit in some social time with friends. AND I’m writing this blog entry, which I’ve been meaning to do for a LONG time. Plus I’m sure there are other things I’ve accomplished that I’m forgetting right now.

Unfortunately, I have an analysis exam tomorrow afternoon that I’ve barely studied for so far.

Old habits die hard, but at least I got that whole list of productive things done instead of watching TV or movies or playing games or something. I am now 3 episodes behind on Parenthood and 2 episodes behind on Grey’s Anatomy. (The only reason I’m not behind on my Thursday night comedies is I have a standing appointment with friends to watch that together.) I could have used my TV shows to procrastinate but I didn’t. If I had, I’d be even more behind! I’m growing up or something I think…

Anyway, that’s it for now. I’m going to finally stop procrastinating (productively or otherwise) and study for that exam.