Procrastination a problem for northern students

We sometimes hear people ask why it is that post-secondary students from the North frequently give up and come back home early rather than stay to complete their studies in college or university.

Among other reasons, I would like to suggest that procrastination might be to blame. At least it was one of my biggest problems as a student. I think that students should start learning in their early school years that it is necessary to meet deadlines with school assignments.

By the time a student gets to college, they should have an ingrained attitude that putting homework off until the last minute, or even later, is not a good way to approach an education, and will likely lead to self-sabotage.

It is very easy to be distracted in a place such as Montreal, where there are so many thrilling things to see and do, and forget about doing homework. If this happens, it is also easy to get bogged down until you have no choice but to quit.

Some students think their work has to be perfect before they can hand it in, which also can lead to procrastination. Sometimes you just have to accept that good enough is good enough, and let it go at that. If it is so that God gives us no more than we can handle, why should any student try and outdo the Almighty Creator?

It might also help for students to respect that their professors have deadlines to meet, such as deadlines to get assignments marked on schedule. They cannot do this without getting the assignments from the students on time.

A student who does not procrastinate about their homework is likely to become an employee who also gets things done on time. As many of us have learned, it can become mentally painful to procrastinate too long, and when anyone is feeling such discomfort, it is tempting to look for a scapegoat for our situation.

Meanwhile, the procrastinator, himself, is only to blame, because he is the one choosing to put off what he is supposed to be doing. In fact, meeting deadlines is merely good manners and shows respect for those who depend on us.

I would like to wish all students success with this paper writing and exam preparation season. For your own sake, please just do it.

Bob Mesher
Kuujjuaq