TR Campus students learn not to procrastinate in seminar

By Casey Holder/reporter

Procrastination is something that all people have to deal with and learn to overcome in their own way, an academic advisor told TR Campus students recently.

In Procrastination: Take It Now! Sept. 29, Enrique Holguin discussed the struggle college students have with procrastination and ways it can be overcome and applied to more than just one’s studies.

TR Campus freshman Antwonette Simpson didn’t really know what to expect as she entered the Lunchtime Workshop seminar presented by the center for academic success.

“I procrastinate a lot,” she said. “Maybe I’ll learn some good tips so I don’t waste my days.”

Almost as an example of Holguin’s topic, a majority of the crowd drifted in after the workshop had already begun.

“Perfection is a doomed task,” he said.

Holguin said many people who procrastinate a task do so because they feel a need to be perfect in their work, making the task more daunting than it should be and thus harder to get started on.

Often times the best thing one can do is to “just get started” even if that means simply putting a heading on the multi-page research paper one has yet to begin, he said. 

People are procrastinating if what they are doing falls under these three criteria: it is counterproductive, it is needless and it is delaying.

Holguin said procrastination and, ultimately, success boil down to “impulse control,” the ability one has to “delay gratification,” or deny that twinging voice in the back of the head that is urging one to check Facebook as opposed to doing algebra homework.

Holguin said many people will easily fall into what is called “student syndrome.”

This refers to the feeling they need more time for a certain task but turn in the same caliber of work regardless of time.

“‘I work better under pressure’ is equivalent judgment to ‘I drive better drunk,’” he said.

The speaker identified some key pointers in helping students fend off the throes of procrastination. He suggested students get a study partner, chop their work up into smaller pieces, give themselves small reward breaks throughout their study time and not set themselves up for failure, urging students to limit themselves from distractions like girlfriends and sports websites.

Simpson was glad she attended.

“It was really good and helpful,” she said. “After this, I want to go home [and work] to not procrastinate.”

For more information on TR Campus’ Lunchtime Workshop Series, visit the center for academic success in the Discover Room (TRTR 3102) or call 817-515-1039.