I'd like to say I spent days working on this essay and contemplating this topic. I must admit after 3 pots of coffee and 16 Twinkies later I mustered up enough energy to write this babble the night before it was due. And this, my friend, is how I plan to inspire you to ponder the question at hand "To cram or not to Cram?" That is the question.   Oh where for art thou.wrong play.strike that reverse it.no it's still not right.Crap.maybe on a couple hours of sleep this will all make sense.I'll get up at 4 a.m. and finish this.

 If you're still with me, you are reading the babble of an idiot. As you can tell, I'm writing this article at the last minute before it's due. And yet if you clicked on this article some of this gibberish may sound oddly familiar to your own writing. That's right, we all know if you're reading this, you're not writing that paper or studying for that midterm. If you are foolish enough to think midterm papers and take home tests written at the last minute don't sound like this then, my friend, you are in for a SHOCK! So if you don't believe me, stop reading now because let's be honest there are better ways to procrastinate then reading this. 

 I am the self-proclaimed master of procrastination. I could create a very sound and seemingly logical reasons to Cram and Jam.why not these are the best days of our lives.shouldn't we enjoy them? At one point, I used this reasoning. Then one day I left the Dark Side and realized the simple truth of the matter. The secret to get good grades and suffer very little anxiety the night before a paper or a test is due is to accept your fate and start your work early. That paper is never going to write itself. And no matter how hard you try the answers will never seep into your brain while using your textbook as a pillow or a drinking apparatus. Yes, I've tried both of these techniques on a late night before a test. This may seem like studying, but in reality it's just plain fun and not educational.

 Here are some words of wisdom from someone who learned their lessons the hard way. These are simple and tested strategies from a reformed procrastinator. Try these out (just for me) in at least one class. These really worked for me.

1. DON'T PROCRASTINATE
2. Go to class. Don't miss more than one class a semester. AND always ask your professor what you missed. 
3. Read assigned materials before class. This can be tough one, I know, but try it.
4. Write a paper the day after it is assigned. This is the most important tip. Why you ask? Write the paper and ask yourself that question two days later.
5. Get a full night's rest before your next test. Panic is the only thing you get on an un-rested mind.

Plain and simple, these worked for me.be it far too late.but better late than never. I found that when I tried writing a paper immediately after I received the assignment I received a better grade. I also discovered that my midnight gibberish was just that. With time to reflect on my writing I improved by leaps and bounds. In addition, when I read all the materials before the class period, the lecture actually made sense. AND I spent less time studying for tests. Here's the best part after implementing all these strategies, I spent the same amount of time goofing off! The only difference was it was after I did all my work and it was guilt free. So if you still don't believe me, I guess you'll have to learn the hard way too. 

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 11/01/06