On being the student who always waited until the last minute to study

Transcribing my daily journals, which I began keeping six years ago, has been startling at times.

First, my memory is as poor as I suspected (if not worse!).

Second, I see myself more clearly now.

Especially at work.

A recent entry notes a comment from my boss about a close deadline:

Busy day, especially at the tail end—with a 5/4 FastCo deadline, David asked me quizzically, whether I always waited until the last minute to study for exams.

Uh…

Yes, quite often.

I can’t remember this (no journal to reference)—but I’m certain that last minute was my preferred timing for all things academic.

I’ve written before about the coolness of deadlines, but deadlines are only cool until they get you in trouble.

Until your boss asks if you were that student who always waited until the last minute to study.

And I wonder now:

Am I still that student?

Part of me certainly is. I’m writing this with a Friday qualifications deadline that I’ve barely started in on.

The difference?

It’s a deadline I set for myself. The real client deadline is next Monday. If I can trick myself into thinking Friday is what matters, I’ll be fine. More to come in a later post on the mixed success of this technique.

But, yes, David, I was—and still am—that student.