Procrastination
Staring at a blank screen will not produce an essay. Thinking about something can lead to action, but only if the motivation and efforts are there. An assignment may seem daunting at times; so, how does one hurdle the jump of doubt and procrastination to cross the line into production? The best way to tackle procrastination is by making a plan, knowing what step to take next, and following through. What is procrastination, and how does it affect a student’s ability to research and complete assignments?
Procrastination is defined by Wikipedia as “a behavior which is characterized by the deferment of actions or tasks” (2009). Procrastination is a behavior, which is a characteristic that some people have that prevents them from accomplishing tasks in a timely manner. Students have long suffered academically from procrastination, whether it is a result of fear, doubt, perfectionism, or simply not knowing how to do something (Carter, et. al., 2007, Ch. 1). Procrastination is a learned behavior and it is not something that can easily be unlearned. “Telling someone who procrastinates to buy a weekly planner is like telling someone with chronic depression to just cheer up” (Ferrari, J., 2003). So, you know you have a paper due, what is the next step?
Make a Plan
The next step is to figure out what you need to do to accomplish this task. What are the teacher’s specific instructions? Identify an objective and write it down on paper, or type it into a Word document. Sometimes just getting started is enough to get the creative juices flowing; if you can get just a few words on paper that is a step in the right direction. Stay focused, do not stray from the topic; this is why it is good to have the objective written down. If you are writing a paper on Leonardo Da Vinci’s artistic abilities, do not waste time researching his supposed involvement in secret societies. The first draft does not have to be perfect, just get the words on the paper and you can always go back and fix mistakes or rewrite sentences. Do not set unreasonable goals for yourself, do not expect perfection, and take breaks frequently so you do not get overwhelmed. Now you have your objective written down, so, what now?
What’s Next?
It is time to research information for your paper; do not get scared, this is actually going to help you come up with ideas for writing. The University of Phoenix Online degree program has available for student use an online University Library. This library is the foundation of a multitude of useful information. Log on to the student homepage and click the link for the University Library. There is a search bar you can type your topic directly into that will search all databases of the library. You can also search one database at a time, or view only peer-reviewed articles. If you are having any problems finding information, there is a link to ask the librarian a question. Do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Type in key words for your topic, such as: “the Vietnam War”, “AIDS in Africa”, or “effects of technology on modern society”. If you do not find what you are looking for on the first try, revise your wording to get different search results. For example: the Vietnam War is a broad subject, try typing in “Tet Offensive”, “Kent State”, or “Lyndon B. Johnson”. Many results will show up, now you just need to do some reading and decide which articles you will reference in your paper. Do not only look for articles that match your opinion. It is a good idea to get both sides of the argument so you have the most information on the subject you are researching. Sometimes, having the opposing opinion will help you to formulate questions and answers supporting your own theory. Do not be afraid to use major search engines like Google to do research, but make sure what you are reading is accurate information on the subject.
Determining Validity
Obviously you cannot believe everything you read; this especially applies to information on the internet. Be careful when researching outside the University Library. When using the World Wide Web, enlist the agency most qualified to dictate information on a particular subject. “Individuals, businesses, government agencies, universities, and professional agencies all produce lists covering Web resources in their areas of interest and expertise” (Goett & Foote, 2000). Often, these agencies will have links on their Web sites to other accredited sites with useful information. Look for information in numbers, there will generally be many Web sites with similar information on one subject. Do not trust Web sites that do not have authority or references. Use your critical thinking skills to determine if a Web site is credible or not. For example: An article from a government Web site on the U.S. economy would be better than a Web site detailing predictions of the economy based on what the aliens who abducted me said. Your common sense is going to be a useful tool when doing research.
Application of Knowledge in Real Life
The required reading for GEN200 is a great resource that can be used in future classes. Knowing whether or not you are a procrastinator can help you to find ways to overcome your problem and lead a productive life. Keys to College Studying: Becoming an Active Thinker (2nd ed.), Chapters 1, 2, and 3 are efficient in providing tools for time management, knowing your learning styles and how best to develop them, and tools for creative and critical thinking. The University Library is a flourishing well of knowledge to aid in any kind of research project.
These resources leave little excuse for procrastination, so the only thing stopping you is you. Do not be afraid, do not expect perfection, just get started and do it. Eliminate procrastination in your studies even if you cannot eliminate it from your life. Make a plan, find the objective, and follow through to the end. Look ahead and know what your next step will be. Utilize your knowledge to enhance your thinking skills, and stick to the objective. Above all else, just remember: You can do this!
References
Carter, C., Bishop, J., & Kravits, S. (2007). Keys to college studying: Becoming an active
thinker (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Goett, J., & Foote, K. (2000). Cultivating student research and study skills in Web-based
learning environments. Retrieved from
http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/pqdlink?did=59614022&sid=2&Fmt=4&clientld=13118&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
Marano, H.E. (2003). Procrastination: Ten things to know. Psychology Today. Retrieved
July 8, 2009, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/node/24800
Wikipedia. (2009). Procrastination. Retrieved July 8, 2009, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastination
No comments:
Post a Comment