Procrastination

All I Need is Twenty More Minutes!

Megan Bonette

Kaplan University

CM-107-14: College Composition 1

(Linda just finished getting ready for the big sorority party tonight that she and her roommate have planned on attending for weeks. As she is headed out the door, she notices Janie, her roommate, flipping frantically through her English papers. Below is the dialogue between them)

Linda: Janie, what are you doing?! The party starts in twenty minutes and we can’t be late.

Janie: I’m sorry, but I don’t think I will be able to make it tonight.

Linda: We have been talking about going to this party for weeks; it will be good socialization for us and for you to finally meet people.

Janie: I know, and I’m really sorry but my Science project is due tonight at midnight.

Linda: Are you just now starting that? You knew about that project a month ago.

Janie: Thanks mom. (Said in a sarcastic tone)

Linda: Seriously Janie…

Janie: I know, I forgot about it. I had so much going on with joining the sorority, it just wasn’t that important to me and I knew I had a month to get it done.

Linda: Yea, and now you only have two hours to get it done. That project is sixty percent of your grade.

Janie: I don’t even know why, it’s not like this has anything to do with my degree.

Linda: It has to do with you earning credit towards your degree and ensuring you graduate on time.

Janie: Yea, yea…I need to make more coffee..

Linda: Caffeinating yourself won’t help you concentrate more, it will just add to your already stressful situation. Do you want me to help you?

Janie: No, I should be fine, besides I work best under pressure.

Linda: You know that’s just a rationalization for procrastinating don’t you?

Janie: Yes, but it’s my rationalization and that’s all that matters. (Big smile)

Linda: You’re funny.

Janie: I’m sorry Linda, I’m so stressed lately and I know that I am not very good at Science so I am so scared that I am going to bomb the assignment....