Even though we always say we’ll do our assignments ahead of time, we always end up doing it the night before, as I’ve been guilty of on many occasions. Here are the stages of writing a last-minute paper.
1. Realizing the Due Date is Tomorrow
Photo 1: Odyssey
You had the due date in the back of your head for the last couple of weeks but it just now realized that this paper is actually due tomorrow. After a few minutes of crying, you realize that you have to actually start. You get a sudden burst of motivation. You go get your coffee. You go to the library. You actually get started, or at least think you will.
2. Sitting Down and Thinking You’ll Actually Start
Photo 2: Imgur
This is when you have your head filled with ideas about what to write. Too many ideas actually. Instead of just writing anything, you sit in front of your laptop, overcome with all your ideas and just stare at your laptop for about two hours. You start thinking about not doing this paper at all; I mean, what will actually happen? You then start thinking about why you’re even doing this at all. Like why am I paying this school to suffer, I could do that for free at home.
3. Realizing How Much Time Has Passed
Photo 3: Encyclopedia SpongeBobia
You realize two hours have gone by and you haven’t started. The only thing on your document is your name, class, professor, and date. You realize you only have about 10 hours left to turn this in and tell yourself to actually get it together this time.
4. Deciding to Write Anything…No Matter How Bad
Photo 4: The Odyssey Online
You decide to just write anything; I mean turning in a trash essay is better than not turning in anything at all. You go with the first coherent idea that pops into your head…and get started. Great!
5. You Decide You Need a Break
Photo 5: Giphy
So you got your introduction down and know your main points for all your body paragraphs, you pat yourself on the back and tell yourself you not only need, but deserve a break. You say it’ll only be for 30 minutes max., but then end up watching The Office for two hours.
6. You Hate Yourself for Your So-Called Break and Get Back to the Grind
Photo 6: Meme Generator
Okay, about five hours left to turn this in; time to actually finish this. You sit down and go over your main points. You’re dying and just want to sleep, but tell yourself you can do this.
7. Writer’s Block
Photo 7: College Magazine
So you have these ideas but can’t seem to form them into words. You stare at the word document for a while and decide its time for another break. Or you think about going back to sleep and just finishing it before class tomorrow.
8. Actually Getting It Done
Photo 8: Imgflip
After spending an hour catching up on YouTube videos, you realize you only have 2 hours to get this done. It’s time to stop messing around and actually get it done. You sit down and all the words come flowing out of you; you can’t type fast enough; your brain is actually working for once. You actually finish this before the two hours are even up. You did it, you’re sleep deprived and dying, but you did it.
I probably go through this at least once every two weeks, and yet I never learn. It’s an interesting time and college probably wouldn’t be the same without it. I’m still in awe of how I could write a paper in two hours, albeit with many hours of procrastinating beforehand. Well, have a nice week, I’ve got two papers to write (crying).
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