Put the Pro in Procrastination

It’s 4:12 in the morning. This very assignment is due in less than six hours. I have covered student’s study habits and dealings with procrastination. Now, I have resorted to the very essence that consumes these students in every college on American Universities campus. In doing so, I’ve learned time management skills and ways to be proactive in relation to coursework. No matter what school the student is in, procrastination is omnipresent.

When asked if they manage their time well, most students on American Universities campus would say they don’t. Yet, these students work very hard and almost always finish their assignments. Their problem is procrastination.

In each school, the responses are the same. Though they prepare for classes and plan, the average American University student has trouble managing time.

“I rarely do any assignment the day it’s due,” said Anna Nix, a Sophomore in the School of Communication. “I almost always do it the night before though.”

Students begin to prepare their assignments late at night. “I usually start at night, around 10 and end up finishing around five in the morning,” said Asja Rakhmatullina, a Kogod Business student who used to study in Russia. “That’s the best time for me. There are no distractions.”

According to Rakhmatullina, there are more distractions in an American school than what she experienced in Russia. “We would take at least nine classes per semester. Six days a week,” she said. “Even with fewer classes, I sleep less here, drink coffee more.”

Some students think it depends on the material. If a student is working on something that interests them, procrastinating isn’t an option. “If it’s something you’re passionate about, it’s easier to get involved in the first place,” said Sarah Desrosiers, a Junior in the School of International Service.

Other students aren’t fazed by any material. “I learned quickly that I don’t have to read for certain classes,” said Meg Fowler, another student from the School of International Service. “I waited last minute for a midterm. I still did well. If it works, why change the habit?”

What’s so bad about procrastination?

Fowler’s point was recycled by several other students. Yet, it does bring up an important point: Is it that wrong?

According to Matt Torres, counseling psychologist at American University, procrastination is actually a self-defeating habit that constitutes a pattern of living that could negatively influence a student’s future career or livelihood.

Torres says Procrastination is a form of resistance. “You resist assertiveness skills that help express concerns and interests,” she said. “You resist goals, wishes, and priorities. And, most importantly, this could extend itself to lacking a sense of purpose.”

Though Fowler’s habit worked for her, Torres says the lack of discipline will in turn provide future negative consequences. “Though positive results may be nice, they are immediate,” he said. “The harmful results are distant.”

Torres recommends setting smart goals; objectives that will increase the likelihood of success by taking small steps and making contracts with oneself.

Though it sounds simple, many students lack the motivation. There is often a gap between intentions and actions. Two concepts that assist students are motivation and time management.

“Stop studying in the TV lounge,” Torres said. “Set up a good study environment. Also, do the assignment as quickly as possible. Do it now. Don’t entertain unrealistic expectations.”

This lack of motivation seems to be apparent in American Universities student body, yet these students attempt to schedule and plan.

To Do or Not To Do

There are several ways students plan their weeks around their work schedule. Some write plans. Others just keep it inside.

Ben Jardine, a student in the Kogod Business School, doesn’t think he needs to write down anything. “It’s all up in my head,” he said. “I’ve never needed to really write anything down.”

However, there are some that think calendar’s and planners are useful tools on campus. “I rely on my one planner for everything,” said Jen Meller, a Junior in the School of Communication. “It keeps me grounded when I need to be.”

“I make a list of all the assignments I have to do for the day,” said Rob Leming of the School of Public Affairs. “I also give each assignment a designated time.”

Allocating a time slot for each assignment worries some students though. “I can’t make myself give each assignment a time,” said Kenny Clark of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The time is a constraint and I don’t do my work as well. I just take my merry time.”

There are a few students who utilize every type of organizational tool. “I kind of use a little of everything,” said Rachel Rath, a pre-med student in the College of Arts and Sciences. “I have to-do lists on Google Calendar and ICal. I also enjoy having my weekly schedule on my Blackberry phone.”


“I have used ICal for awhile now,” Fowler said. “It is very easy to use and is not only a calendar, but includes a to-do list on the right side. It still doesn’t keep me from procrastinating, but does focus me.”

According to Torres, Fowler and others like her should develop clear, realistic goals. He recommends moderate, manageable goals that aren’t too general either. “Specific goals go far,” he said.


For more tips to avoid procrastination, check out Georgetown’s helpful advice here: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/writingcenter/documents/procrastination.pdf

If you are an American University student, the counseling center is very supportive too. http://www1.american.edu/ocl/counseling/

Nick Clooney and His Trip To Darfur

The Eagle - Phillip Ochs

by Alexander Grabowski

American University's Distinguished Journalist-in-Residence Nick Clooney is discussing the problems in Darfur with students and guests tonight at 7:00 p.m. The discussion will follow the viewing of the documentary Journey To Darfur he produced in 2006.

The documentary tracks Professor Clooney's trip with his son George Clooney to the troubled region in Sudan. In 2008, the documentary was released on DVD with the proceeds from sales going to the International Rescue Committee to aid the people in Darfur.

The Genocide in Darfur has already been going on for more than six years. Hundred of thousands have been killed, even by the most conservative estimates. Based on Sudan's behavior over the last few years, it is clear that the international community is needed more than ever. According to Save Darfur organization, the community is encouraged to impose additional political costs for the Sudanese President.

Humanitarian assistance in Darfur continues to risk collapse as the Sudanese government, the government's militia allies, and common criminals threaten any aid. Most of the deaths have been caused either by the government or Janjaweed (a specific armed nomadic african tribe). Nick Clooney plans on speaking more about this during his engagement. If you are interested in reading more about the crisis, check out savedarfur.org

Mr. Clooney is an American Journalist who started his career as news anchor in Lexington, Kentucky. In the early 70s, Professor Clooney gained fame as a game show host of the short lived Money Maze. After his stint being a host, he continued his work as a journalist. His career as a hard news journalist garnered praise, especially for his coverage of the 1977 Beverly Hills Supper Club fire. In 2004, he ran for Congress as a Democrat from the State of Kentucky. He lost the election and returned to writing columns. In fall 2008, Nick Clooney joined the faculty at American University's School of Communication.


For more information on Nick Clooney, go to this website: http://www.answers.com/topic/nick-clooney


I will be live blogging the discussion tonight.

Live Blog Feed

Journey To Darfur With Nick Clooney

Just got to Ward to see Nick Clooney. Waiting for the discussion to begin

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Dana Walker has just informed the audience that Mr. Kovach from the NYT cannot make it and will no longer be a part of the forum. bummer.


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And so it begins . . . (7:00pm)

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Tyler Marshall is describing trends he has found through a Washington project. "The washington press corps is not so much shrinking, but transforming."

He notes another trend. There is the sharp increase in foreign correspondents.

Two other developments were found. One was reversal migration of bylines. "For years and years, there were niche publications and they would aspire to joining a major newspaper." Now, there are more and more niche outlets and this has implications for the democratic process. According to Tyler, it raises questions on how well our citizens are informed and what they have access to. (7:10 PM)

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Mr. Whitaker has just taken the stand and is talking about traditional journalism and the importance of whistle blowers. "It is not so bad in television as it is in Newspapers," Mr. Whitaker says. He goes on to say that there has been a decrease in traditional experienced reporters.

Mr. Whitaker feels that whistle blowers are incredibly important. Over the decades, someone in the private industry or government was willing to talk to reporters on a confidential basis. "There will always be a need for whistle blowers to protect the common people" (7:14pm)

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Ms. Struglinski has brought up an important point. If you aren't there, you can't tell whether a representative from Washington or whoever is speaking the truth.

Ms. Wittstock just commented on this.

In addition, Wittstock says that she doesn't think that anyone's immune from the financial situation. Right now, Wittstock thinks its important to work with citizen journalists. Politics is especially in need of these citizens who can work as whistle blowers or assist journalists in reporting what is important (7:18pm)

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Mr. Tyler is now talking about Senator Lugar who has not received National coverage and not seen any objective feedback. They are not finding out the consequences of their votes. This is a sign. (7:22pm)

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"Getting the information from the internet is like drinking from a firehose," Whitaker says. He goes on to say that you can "get overwhelmed by it."

A lot of news organizations have areas where they can improve, especially on the internet. Whitaker thinks its a shame that there is a trend in local media where the local organizations are not spreading information much. (7:24pm)

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Struglinski - "It is frightening when all of sudden you are watching coverage of Washington through a webcast."

She is talking about transparency now. "The governments idea of transparency and our idea of transparency are very different things." (7:27pm)

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Wittstock just brought up a story about covering a politician. She was asking a politician about a recent vote and what reaction the people the politician is representing would think:

WS: "Why did you change your vote?"

P: "Well, my district is under 2 feet of snow, what do they care?"

This is something that has to improve. Wittstock went on to say that people can't just go up to the Speaker of the House and inquire about changes to a local area. They need someone to serve their interests. (7:30pm)

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Whitaker and Wittstock are now discussing the financial aspect of newspapers. In the past years, readers weren't just buying for the content, but for jobs too with classified ads. Now, the internet has cut that main source of revenue for newspapers. I think Craiglist has overpowered classified ads. ugh.(7:36pm)

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The speakers are encouraging students to have as many multimedia skills as possible. Editing, filming, writing skills are all necessary. "Being a good writer is still key," Whitaker has just said. (7:39pm)

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A student has just asked the panel about new media and citizens who are much closer to stories they can report on.

Whitaker thinks that its a good thing that the citizen journalists are providing a new perspective. At the end of the day though, you need money. Whitaker hits it home by saying that if you are a lone blogger in Iraq, you will need protection. You will need money to keep you safe. (7:43pm)

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Wittstock continues to speak about money.

She goes on to say that public stations are great, nodding to NPR. There is a lot of time on public airwaves, but "535 people in congress and senate cannot fit in national newscast." Although you can do great things with public radio, you are risking different stories or factors. Again, someone has to pay for this stuff. (7:46pm)

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During the Iraq war, BBC news was the most popular. They were looked as an alternative and attracted Americans. (7:50pm)

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Student Brian Koenig asks about new alternative economic models and the issue of money v. content. Not much reaction.

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Struglinski - All of my reporter friends are blogging for their news organizations. "The important thing is how they should be used and for what exactly.

"It's another outlet for reporting and I think that mainstream media is still trying to work out the kinks." (7:53pm)

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Most reporters now not only have to do what they usually do but they have to tweet and much more. "How much time left do they have to report?" asks Whitaker. Although we need to embrace new forms of media, we also must be disciplined in actually gathering original and important material.

"You could be fast and correct, but miss the story," Whitaker says. I think there is room for all of it.

"A long time back at BBC we had to do radio and TV. You find yourself from one interview to the next and after awhile it was very hard to go out and break a story."

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Why should students get in the business?

Right now, it beats wall street. - Whitaker

Now, there is a place for entreprenurship. You could make a name for yourself. -Whitaker

If you want to avoid boredom, every day is different - Wittstock

I never want to grow up - Tyler (7:58pm)

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And so it begins . . .

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And so it begins . . .