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Advice: Assess the costs of procrastination in your life.

Ask A Prof is a monthly column which answers student questions on any topic. The Prof answering is Jim Benedek, a professor in the School of IT’s office administration programs. Ask your question by completing the form at: theinterrobang.ca/ask-prof.

Hey Prof, my parents think I’m a procrastinator cuz in high school I never started writing my assignments until the night before they were due. Do you have any ideas on how I can stop procrastinating?

Signed: Last Minute Lover


Dear LML,

Let me introduce you to a term I learned in physics class years ago: inertia. Inertia is what’s behind the concept that something moving tends to keep moving and something not moving tends to keep not moving. For example, think about a big boulder sitting in a field. It’s not likely to start moving unless there’s some great force to move it. Now, I’m not suggesting that you’re a big boulder, but you and I know how tough it is at times (always) to get your unmoving body off the couch and in front of a laptop or textbook, right? Well no wonder — you’re working against the laws of physics!

I used to wait for motivation to visit me the way I’d sit in a waiting room for a doctor. When it’s ready, it’ll come and find me. If it didn’t find me quickly enough, some guilt would creep in and I’d engage in the bargaining process — just one more episode then I’ll start that assignment — only two more episodes in the season — maybe I’ll get started after I eat…

Things changed for me when I read an article that challenged my thinking about motivation. What if instead of trying to get motivated before doing something, we have to start doing something to get motivated to continue? Interesting concept, but what about my inertia problem.

The article recommended that I convince myself to work on something for only five minutes. I can do that — five minutes is a little more than a bathroom break between episodes! When I tried this strategy, I found that as I started working, I got more interested in what I was doing and I continued doing it. As expected, a body that’s sitting on the couch watching Netflix tends to remain sitting and a body that’s working on an assignment tends to continue working.

Your question reminds me of a story about Aaron Sorkin, the screenwriter, actor, producer, and director. If you haven’t heard of him, some of Sorkin’s writing credits include: A Few Good Men, The West Wing, The Social Network, and Moneyball. We can probably agree that he’s pretty good at what he does!

In 2002, Katie Couric interviewed Sorkin on the Today show. When Couric called him out for his reputation as a “master procrastinator”, his reply was: “Well, Katie, you call it procrastination, I call it thinking.” Sorkin was saying that he’s working on things even if it doesn’t look he is.

So how can you tell if you’re procrastinating or if you’re someone who benefits from letting an idea percolate until it’s ready to take a physical form? I can think of three criteria to help you decide. The first criterion is your grade. If you’re not satisfied with your grade, your approach and the time you committed to the assignment may be the basis for your disappointment.

The second criterion is how you feel. If you feel nervous, anxious, or stressed as deadlines approach, then you may want to consider a healthier strategy. Finally, ask yourself about the “costs” of your approach. Are you neglecting other priorities or missing out on other activities? If you are, then you may be procrastinating rather than concentrating.

Hey Prof, I’m not from London and I don’t know anyone from here. How can I meet people?

Signed: Looking for Friends

Dear LFF,

In my experience, when I do things I enjoy, I meet people I want to spend time with. My advice is to create a list of things that make you happy and then find out where you can do those things. Start with the Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) website, fsu.ca. They post and host events and they have links to over 30 clubs on campus. If you don’t find a club you’re interested in, why not start one? The site also has several volunteer and paid positions which will get you interacting with other people on campus.

International Students may find visiting the International Centre (E2025) helpful. Domestic students can also get involved with the International Centre’s programming via their Peer to Peer program. Similarly, First Nations students or students interested in learning more about First Nations may enjoy the community at The Institute of Indigenous Learning (A1047).

If you’re an exercise enthusiast, maybe the Wellness Centre is where you should be hanging. Joining an intra-mural team is a great way to meet students from diverse backgrounds and there are leagues for every level. Do you have a flair for business, or are you hoping to foster one? The programs and workshops at LEAP Junction (Entrepreneurial Services) may be of interest to you (F1012).

If you’re hoping to meet people outside the College community, visit londontourism.ca to find out about what’s going on in town. The Central branch of the London Public Library is close to Fanshawe’s downtown campus and they advertise many community events on bulletin boards outside the front entrance. The library also has a lot of its own programming and you can find out more at lpl.ca. You may enjoy a meet-up group that you find on social media but consider going with someone you know and think safety first. If volunteering at one of London’s non-profits is of interest, visit the Pillar Nonprofit Network website — pillarnonprofit.ca. At last count there were 40 opportunities to earn some good karma. With so many ways to meet people and spend your free time, don’t lose focus of your coursework!
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