As we prepare to commence another academic year of training at Eva Burrows College, I was excited to stumble across a wonderfully eye-opening article by Social Psychologist and Professor of Psychology Devon Price, where Price recalls experiences of students struggling with completing assignments on time, amongst other things.
Beyond eliciting gratitude for my truly understanding and compassionate work colleagues (a stark contrast to Price’s experience!), this article served as a gentle reminder of generally unseen student struggles, of which I am sometimes privy to.
Of particular interest to me was the link drawn between procrastination and perceived laziness.
Writing essays or sermons is a unique mix of art and science. Whilst there’s no single right way to write such works, there certainly seems to be plenty of wrong, or at least ineffective, ways to do either.
Price points out that what can appear like laziness is often just the opposite:
When a person fails to begin a project that they care about, it’s typically due to either a) anxiety about their attempts not being ‘good enough’ or b) confusion about what the first steps of the task are. Not laziness. In fact, procrastination is more likely when the task is meaningful and the individual cares about doing it well.
So, not sure where best to start, sometimes students simply don’t. The due date fast approaching, pressure mounting, and nothing to show for their escalating stress, the ‘lazy procrastinator’ becomes as critical of themselves as they fear others will be.
One of three things generally happens next:
1. Defeat. Convinced the task is now unachievable, the student resigns themselves to assignment/unit failure
2. Help is sought, in the form of guidance, acquiring new skills or resources, an extension (or some combination of the above)
3. Go time. There is no time left to wait for inspiration, aspiration (or any other ‘spiration, other than perspiration!) They make a start… any start, and just write. Writing the perfect essay/sermon is no longer the goal. Doing the best they can with the time and energy they have will now have to suffice
(Lifehack: plan for and start at step three from the beginning. And dip into step two if you need. You’ll do great!) 😃
As a recovering procrastinator, I can fully empathise with those who struggle to complete tasks to the standard they want in the time they have. I, with Price, would challenge any conception of students being academically lazy, encouraging them to look beneath the surface of their struggles to what might be going on at a deeper level.
Allow me to offer one final word of advice from someone (me) who knows what it’s like to struggle academically. Afford someone the privilege of helping you out. There’s a few simple skills, tips and tricks that can make a massive difference, and cost the giver of the gift very little, if anything.
Completing assignments is typically still a lot of hard work, but if you know what you’re trying to achieve, and how to achieve it, that hard work will be a lot less stressful, and you may even find the learning meaningful and enjoyable.
whybelief.com 