Often times, when we pick up habits we barely recognize whether they're good or bad, asides the most obvious ones which we learn consciously.
Moving into the university can be really exciting. That phase presents freedom and elements of fun. For me, one thing I looked forward to was taking responsibility for myself and making decisions on what I wanted, when, where, how, just exactly as it pleased me. I wasn't entirely out of my parents hook, don't misunderstand. They were totally responsible for my wellbeing.
I left to the university in a different state in high spirits, with hot brain and a determination to perform excellently. Knowing my background, it was imperative that I stayed focused on the goal.
First year in university was just as exciting as it was exhilarating. Lectures, trying to get in tune with the school, it's working dynamics and my environment,relating with new people, studying and just finding my balance.
I studied so well with the energy I had come with, partly because of how motivated some of my coursemates were(which sort of boosted my spirits more and had me in an unspoken competition albeit a healthy one), but also because my family called me almost daily to know how I was and to encourage me. It was a reminder. And when results emerged for that semester, my performance spoke for itself.
The second year went by pretty fast and well. By the first semester of the third year, I had settled well into the routine. Created a good enough foundation for myself. When the period for school fun and games approached, things took a little swerve.
I love football very much. The most of my social relationships had been borne out of the game. And in preparation for the school games, I had invested myself so much I began to neglect studies. I studied but not as I usually would. What I did rather was procrastinate. A lot of my guys who were my coursemates and partook in the trainings were A students. Not that I am easily influenced but seeing them just as excited and into the preparations as I was, I guessed I could just read same time as they would. I forgot that different people read and assimilate better at different times. I neglected what worked for me. I'd put off study until a later time, skipped classes I thought of as negligible just so I could go for trainings.
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When I got back from the training, I'd be too tired, I'd tell myself that I would read the next day. The next day, I wouldn't and the cycle went on. Nothing else mattered to me more than preparing for that game and playing to victory.
The football game held and my team went on to win. With the games behind me, there was a problem. Exam was to hold the next week. That was a phase of struggle cause I had so much to cover up. Exams came and left but I wasn't very confident. I could have done better.
Procrastination is a killer of time. There was room for me to adjust my schedule and strike a balance between studies and extra curricular activities but I felt I had time. The next day seemed a lot better. The next minute appeared like the most appropriate and enough. By the time results were out, my grades had dropped. I was lucky to have made it narrowly and in the coming days, even though I tried to let go of the habit, I began to procrastinate in other areas of my life.
I began to do things only when they were convenient and then at the last minute I ran about crazily, working under pressure trying to meet the deadline. I would withhold the details but the day I missed out on an important opportunity because of my nonchalant attitude, that was the very day I realized how badly the habit had eaten into me.
It took a while but little by little I started to shed off the habit. It's so hard to pick a habit than it is to let go.
Procrastination is one habit that can do many harm at once. I fell into it, faced the consequences and learned my lessons. Never again!
Thanks for stopping by.
SOKA🖤