Procrastination - Nubblies.net Forums

Saint DH · 05-06-2004, 03:11 PM

It's 1:10 P.M. Exam time is a little less than 2 hours away. You studied a bit for it last night, but nothing that will be of any benefit. From the time you woke up until now you've watched a movie, ate some food, and got on Nubblies. But did you study? No, you didn't. You tell yourself you're going to in a few minutes. Once those minutes tick by, you still don't. Truthfully, you knew you weren't even going to when you said you were several minutes before. Why? Why do you think you can fool yourself? Why do you procrastinate?

The above scnario is one that I have been living for the duration of this morning/afternoon. Fortunately for you all, I am not going to complain about not studying for a test. Instead, I would examine the phenomenon of procrastination. Why do we humans (at least many of us) always seem to put important tasks off until the very last minute. Perhaps we think we can get by doing things at the last minute? I mean, of course I'm not going to do as well on the test as I would of had I been studying hard, but I will do decently enough to be satisfied. This notion of procrastination can be explained using simple economics.

The way I see it is, studying for an exam earlier is much too costly for the student. The oppertunity cost, if you will, is unreasonable, thus the student watches a movie or gets on Nubblies to write an asinine post. Let me illustrate my point here.

As the cost of studying rises (such as a nice sunny day, rented a new video game, or it's going to be an easy test) the hours spent studying decline. As the cost falls (rainy day, very important test) hours spent studying increase.

My point in all of this is that procrastination is simply a result of oppertunity cost. I also have one more point to make before I get myself in gear, "procrastination is just like masturbation, in the end you just screw yourself."

St. Anky · 05-06-2004, 03:19 PM

I work best under pressure. If I attempt to write a paper that's due at the end of the week, It always turns out worse than if I were to write it the day before.

Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it.

Saint DH · 05-06-2004, 03:49 PM

That's interesting Anky. Actually you're not alone there, I remember hearing sometime on the news that Bill Clinton was like that. In fact, I remember hearing that he was finishing up his speech once on the car ride to the place where he was speaking.

Personally, I'd prefer to work without pressure, so usually when I do procrastinate, it's b/c I really don't give a fuck.

Pliedes · 05-06-2004, 03:54 PM

Dirty, I love the chart, it illustrates your point very well. I also agree with your reasoning, "procrastination" is simply another way to say "conserving oppurtunity costs".

Props.

05-06-2004, 04:34 PM

This is the greatest thread ever.

Ugly Bastard · 05-06-2004, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dirty Harry:
That's interesting Anky. Actually you're not alone there, I remember hearing sometime on the news that Bill Clinton was like that. In fact, I remember hearing that he was finishing up his speech once on the car ride to the place where he was speaking.

Yeah, and it was the State of the Union address no less. I'm a procrastinating fuck too...and I don't really mind it.

This reminds me of a phrase I heard some time ago. I actually read it on Nubblies, and couldn't stop laughing for quite a while:

"Procrastination is like Masturbation. In the end, you just end up fucking yourself"

I have found this not to be entirely true. I'm a huge procrastinator, and have never been fucked too bad by it.

Nice thread, Dirty.

Saint DH · 05-06-2004, 05:40 PM

Wow, the irony of this all. I was just fucked harder than a 2 bit whore because of procrastination (in a way).

Alright, check it, originally I had scheduled the aforementioned astronomy test for Tuesday at 10:00 PM, because that was the only time I could get in the computer based testing lab. Well, one night I was over at a friend's house and someone there that was in the same class as me told me that the prof. extended the testing date from Wednesday as the final day, to Friday. I'm thinking, fuck yes. Which is reasonable because who the fuck wants to take a test at 10 o'clock at fucking night? I sure as hell didn't, so I rescheduled my test for today (Thursday) at 3:00 PM. Plus, this also gave me extra time to study for the test which I needed. I had no troubles reserving this time at all. Anyways, I get to the motherfucking lab to find out the test actually did expire on Wednesday, so now I'm fucked and can't take the FINAL FUCKING EXAM. I emailed the instructor in hopes that he will re-activate it so I can take it. The moral of this story is that I should have taken it on Tuesday and not put it off for later. Had I done that I would not currently be fucked.

[ May 06, 2004, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: Dirty Harry ]

underwater · 05-06-2004, 10:06 PM

i'm a MAJOR procrastinator.. and like others on this thread, my late night scramblings to get shit together usually serve me pretty well, besides the stress. my best work comes out at one o'clock in the morning.

in fact, i'm procrastinating right now.. it's really hard not to with retarded research papers. anybody ever have chastain for AP english at warsaw? yeah. she's crazy. thirty notecards fucking due tomorrow.. bah.

[ May 06, 2004, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: underwater ]

05-06-2004, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by underwater:
thirty notecards fucking due tomorrow.. bah.

hahahahahahaha
Notecards.

underwater · 05-06-2004, 10:26 PM

yeah, i know, it's very trivial... that's why i'm so fucking annoyed with it. i HATE doing stuff like that.. it's pointless. i just want to write the freakin paper, not individually write out each and every piddly little fact on it's very own a piece of paper. grr.

rla128 · 05-06-2004, 11:45 PM

Try 40 notecards. And try doing it after the period before it was due (God bless Mr. Waldeck...)! Wahaha! Those were the days. Man, all I did in class/library was highlight some stuff, then I went through and got some stuff, stuff I didn't need, until I had enough! I love school...

Wait, no I don't...

It's funny how pathetic school is...

Orgazmo · 05-07-2004, 01:11 AM

Very nice analysis of the situation. This thread is absolute quality. Nice work.

Mr. Blonde · 05-07-2004, 01:29 AM

I think Ugly Bastard and I could tell you guys a bit about procrastinating. We never pay attention in our stats class, and we literally learn (or try to) the entire test material the night before. Like tonight. We are fucked. period.

underwater · 05-07-2004, 01:56 AM

haha.. college will be so fun next year.

Ugly Bastard · 05-07-2004, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Blonde:
I think Ugly Bastard and I could tell you guys a bit about procrastinating. We never pay attention in our stats class, and we literally learn (or try to) the entire test material the night before. Like tonight. We are fucked. period.

He's not lying. In like...6 hours we have an exam covering material the two of us know nothing about. :-/

Ce la vie.

-Ugly Bastard

silver and cold · 05-07-2004, 05:55 PM

I can honestly say I dont procrastinate to often...I usually just dont do it.
On the other hand, when it has to be done, I usually do procrastinate.

Niger Angelus · 05-08-2004, 03:59 AM

I have to do a deffensive driving course for my two tickets and I just can't bring myself to do it. I also have to do this thing online for my stock[s], not happening. And then I need to renew my plates...please...I am 19, I don't have time for things like this.

StDx · 05-09-2004, 05:28 AM

I gotta admit that this thread looks pretty interesting... I think I'll read it later.

05-06-2004, 04:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
DJ FC Guest Posts: n/a	This is the greatest thread ever.
DJ FC Guest Posts: n/a

05-06-2004, 10:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
underwater Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: indiana Posts: 1,453 Internets: 10	i'm a MAJOR procrastinator.. and like others on this thread, my late night scramblings to get shit together usually serve me pretty well, besides the stress. my best work comes out at one o'clock in the morning. in fact, i'm procrastinating right now.. it's really hard not to with retarded research papers. anybody ever have chastain for AP english at warsaw? yeah. she's crazy. thirty notecards fucking due tomorrow.. bah. [ May 06, 2004, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: underwater ]
	We can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind, because your friends don't dance and if they don't dance then they're no friends of mine.

05-06-2004, 10:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
underwater Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: indiana Posts: 1,453 Internets: 10	yeah, i know, it's very trivial... that's why i'm so fucking annoyed with it. i HATE doing stuff like that.. it's pointless. i just want to write the freakin paper, not individually write out each and every piddly little fact on it's very own a piece of paper. grr.
	We can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind, because your friends don't dance and if they don't dance then they're no friends of mine.

05-07-2004, 01:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
Mr. Blonde Spice Master Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 17,969 Internets: 278288	I think Ugly Bastard and I could tell you guys a bit about procrastinating. We never pay attention in our stats class, and we literally learn (or try to) the entire test material the night before. Like tonight. We are fucked. period.
	Psychedelics are illegal not because a loving government is concerned that you may jump out of a third story window. Psychedelics are illegal because they dissolve opinion structures and culturally laid down models of behavior and information processing. ― Terence McKenna

05-07-2004, 01:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
underwater Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: indiana Posts: 1,453 Internets: 10	haha.. college will be so fun next year.
	We can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind, because your friends don't dance and if they don't dance then they're no friends of mine.

05-06-2004, 03:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Saint DH Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 6,143 Internets: 284753	It's 1:10 P.M. Exam time is a little less than 2 hours away. You studied a bit for it last night, but nothing that will be of any benefit. From the time you woke up until now you've watched a movie, ate some food, and got on Nubblies. But did you study? No, you didn't. You tell yourself you're going to in a few minutes. Once those minutes tick by, you still don't. Truthfully, you knew you weren't even going to when you said you were several minutes before. Why? Why do you think you can fool yourself? Why do you procrastinate? The above scnario is one that I have been living for the duration of this morning/afternoon. Fortunately for you all, I am not going to complain about not studying for a test. Instead, I would examine the phenomenon of procrastination. Why do we humans (at least many of us) always seem to put important tasks off until the very last minute. Perhaps we think we can get by doing things at the last minute? I mean, of course I'm not going to do as well on the test as I would of had I been studying hard, but I will do decently enough to be satisfied. This notion of procrastination can be explained using simple economics. The way I see it is, studying for an exam earlier is much too costly for the student. The oppertunity cost, if you will, is unreasonable, thus the student watches a movie or gets on Nubblies to write an asinine post. Let me illustrate my point here. As the cost of studying rises (such as a nice sunny day, rented a new video game, or it's going to be an easy test) the hours spent studying decline. As the cost falls (rainy day, very important test) hours spent studying increase. My point in all of this is that procrastination is simply a result of oppertunity cost. I also have one more point to make before I get myself in gear, "procrastination is just like masturbation, in the end you just screw yourself."

05-06-2004, 03:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
St. Anky Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,581 Internets: 6603	I work best under pressure. If I attempt to write a paper that's due at the end of the week, It always turns out worse than if I were to write it the day before. Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it.

05-06-2004, 03:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Saint DH Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 6,143 Internets: 284753	That's interesting Anky. Actually you're not alone there, I remember hearing sometime on the news that Bill Clinton was like that. In fact, I remember hearing that he was finishing up his speech once on the car ride to the place where he was speaking. Personally, I'd prefer to work without pressure, so usually when I do procrastinate, it's b/c I really don't give a fuck.

05-06-2004, 03:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pliedes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 4,594 Internets: 1608	Dirty, I love the chart, it illustrates your point very well. I also agree with your reasoning, "procrastination" is simply another way to say "conserving oppurtunity costs". Props.

05-06-2004, 05:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Saint DH Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 6,143 Internets: 284753	Wow, the irony of this all. I was just fucked harder than a 2 bit whore because of procrastination (in a way). Alright, check it, originally I had scheduled the aforementioned astronomy test for Tuesday at 10:00 PM, because that was the only time I could get in the computer based testing lab. Well, one night I was over at a friend's house and someone there that was in the same class as me told me that the prof. extended the testing date from Wednesday as the final day, to Friday. I'm thinking, fuck yes. Which is reasonable because who the fuck wants to take a test at 10 o'clock at fucking night? I sure as hell didn't, so I rescheduled my test for today (Thursday) at 3:00 PM. Plus, this also gave me extra time to study for the test which I needed. I had no troubles reserving this time at all. Anyways, I get to the motherfucking lab to find out the test actually did expire on Wednesday, so now I'm fucked and can't take the FINAL FUCKING EXAM. I emailed the instructor in hopes that he will re-activate it so I can take it. The moral of this story is that I should have taken it on Tuesday and not put it off for later. Had I done that I would not currently be fucked. [ May 06, 2004, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: Dirty Harry ]

05-06-2004, 11:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
rla128 Another Brick in the Wall Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Warsaw, IN Posts: 392 Internets: 10	Try 40 notecards. And try doing it after the period before it was due (God bless Mr. Waldeck...)! Wahaha! Those were the days. Man, all I did in class/library was highlight some stuff, then I went through and got some stuff, stuff I didn't need, until I had enough! I love school... Wait, no I don't... It's funny how pathetic school is...

05-07-2004, 01:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
Orgazmo COME ON YOU YANKS Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 15,699 Internets: 305662	Very nice analysis of the situation. This thread is absolute quality. Nice work.

05-07-2004, 05:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
silver and cold Ish... Join Date: May 2003 Location: this nowhere Posts: 1,680 Internets: 10	I can honestly say I dont procrastinate to often...I usually just dont do it. On the other hand, when it has to be done, I usually do procrastinate.
	the killer in me is the killer in you.

05-08-2004, 03:59 AM	#17 (permalink)
Niger Angelus We still believe. Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,697 Internets: 216	I have to do a deffensive driving course for my two tickets and I just can't bring myself to do it. I also have to do this thing online for my stock[s], not happening. And then I need to renew my plates...please...I am 19, I don't have time for things like this.
	I enjoy knives and fire.

05-09-2004, 05:28 AM	#18 (permalink)
StDx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: right behind you Posts: 931 Internets: 306	I gotta admit that this thread looks pretty interesting... I think I'll read it later.