For those that don't know I'm a freshman at an art college within the animation department and the courses are much more interesting that high school, along with clubs and the community within the school. That being said, it is downright stressful. Not only is it hard to adapt, but due to my procrastination habit, I have struggle to getting to some of my classes on time, and have struggled in handing in all of my assignments with the most amount of effort (I still hand 99% of them in for the record). I know my tendency to put things off at the last minute has been an issue sine high school, but I figured that once I got to college, more often learning a field I would appreciate, then I wouldn't have much trouble. Boy, was I wrong! And the worst part is, I have no idea who to turn to about this habit of mine. I'm afraid to talk to my parents about it since their reaction would make things worse. I doubt my professors and classmates would have the most assuring thing to say, and none of my close friends can relate to my problems.

It wasn't until recently though, since this past monday I believe, that I finally managed to understand my habits with procrastination. Lately I've been searching for books at the Self-Improvement section to well........ self-improve. Of the books I saw at Barnes & Noble, I remembered a few involving procrastination. And not only did the books I read provide helpful information, but because they all seemed to understand where I came from, I almost cried with a sense of relief. The things mentioned in these books explained things that I don't believe ANYONE I know could explain themselves no matter how many times I asked.

First of all, one of them defined procrastination as a compulsion. It can't be solved by simply being told to not procrastinate. It would be the same as telling someone wihh depression to be happy. The second thing I learned about procrastination, is that it the root of it can involve going as far as one's childhood. That was actually the case with me. I remember since I was 7-8 years old that my mom would help me read books, revise essays, and do math/science problems. And each and every time she did help, it felt frustrating. I would hate the idea of reading books, doing science problems, essays and projects because they felt more like a pressuring chore than anything else. And it wasn't just my mom who was the source of my procrastination. I had adults in the inclusion program, who would made me feel uneasy if I ever struggle in my assignments for whatever reason. And it wasn't until I had adults who tutored me with math, that I realized I how much I hate that subject. What really bothers me now is that my mother does the same thing with my 9 year-old sister, arguing with her over homework.

As I read further into those books, I also realized how procrastination affected certain other parts about my life, like exercising. Then I found the solutions of procrastination, which really helped me. First, I had to learn to think positive and forgive myself. I had to stop thinking like a perfectionist who was obsessed with the perfect strategy and be more of a human being who can accept mistakes and appreciate any little accomplishments I could make. Second, I needed to learn to take my tasks with one small, specific step at a time and to take the easiest approach. Instead of having to worry about reading a bunch of chapters in a book, worry about read a number of pages at atime and in different sections. Third, I had to learn to not be so hard on myself and that it's okay to seek pleasure and interest, despite whatever I struggle with.

I find all this information (and then some) to be super helpful, and I hope I can help anyone else with their procrastination, whether it's my friends, classmates or people online. I hate it how much of society thinks we all should fend for ourselves when we can help each other more often mentally and psychologically. Life to me is too shortand delicate to never properly help each other with our problems and habits.