Procrastination Unfairly Demonized

http://www.mndaily.com/2011/02/07/stop-procrastinating-now

I found this article in the opinion columns of the Daily, and I don't agree with the claims the author made, or the science he used to support them.

Basically, Mr. Grimley is bashing procrastination and claiming that the act (or lack thereof) is a direct cause of negative health.

The article is riddled with nameless studies, research, experts, and conventional wisdom misconstrued as fact.

The only source that the author actually cites simply states that '70 percent of college students identify themselves as procrastinators' without making note of an established, singular definition of procrastination, the degree to which each of these students individually procrastinates, or even the effects that this procrastination may have on physical health.

I did a little research (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dont-delay/200804/ill-look-after-my-health-later-the-costs-procrastination) and found that the only direct link procrastination has to poor health uses stress as a qualifier. Because of this, I argue that procrastination is unfairly demonized, as the individual's psychological response to procrastination (stress) is the true culprit of any ill effects on health.

Now, what if one (I know I'm inviting criticism here) procrastinated responsibly? If a person had a relaxed and stress-free mentality about procrastination, but was still able to buckle down and get things done upon nearing a deadline, there would be no identifiable difference than if s/he had begun the task on the first possible day. Really, we're squabbling over preference in time management.

Sure, procrastination isn't a fountain of benefits, but it has its time and place, especially in the life of a student. It's important to remember where priorities fall; it may not be a good idea to put off a final paper until the last 24 hours, but there's no shame in temporarily ignoring a 1-page response paper in order to indulge in a much-needed evening of relaxation/fun. I would even go so far as to argue that the stress and anxiety caused by being overworked is far more dangerous than that caused by occasional procrastination.

I (and I'm sure most of you can relate) personally procrastinate on things regularly, but I have a schedule; I simply plan out my work time as close to the deadline as I can rationally justify, and when the time rolls around, I get things done. Because I still maintain a schedule in my procrastination, I'm able to go about it while nixing the stress with which it's so commonly associated.

So my letter is going to cover these topics in a more concise and formulated way, though I don't actually plan on talking about my personal study habits.