Repelling My (Bad) Habit 'Procrastination!'

By Sawani Sameer Karpe

I had a habit of delaying important things whenever someone asked me to do something. That is, till my senior poem. So basically, it was my last year of high school which meant I could at last be ‘that cool senior’ who everybody loves. It was autumn season which also meant prom season. Me & my friends Elizabeth, Diana, Megan & Kate were all going together. But, before prom we were supposed to turn in some important assignments, that’s where thing took a gloomy turn.

“Shake it off, I shake it off” Taylor Swift’s voice played in a high volume on my speaker, which I kept on my study table along with other electronic instruments. “Turn that down young lady & study for god’s sake or at least complete your assignments on time for once” my mom started to rant as she entered my room. “Did you even bother listening to me?” she asked me while turning down the volume of the speaker herself. I rolled my eyes & hummed as her answer. My phone buzzed as a call from Diana entered my call log. “Hey, what’s up?” I asked her as my mom left my room following a loud thud of the door. “Everything up! You know the geography assignment by Miss Scott is so lengthy, I started it yesterday & still am writing non-stop.” She reciprocated & I laughed “Well I’m watching a Korean drama & I’ll most probably complete the project a night before submission.” I said midst laughing “Dude, you know she’s not going to let you come to prom if you don’t submit your project?” She scoffed “Well I’ll do it somehow.” I said, “Well bye & good luck on your procrastination streak.” She bid her goodbye, cut the call & I continued watching my drama.

2 days before the submission day:

I sat on a chair watching some instagram reels as my fingers hurt from scrolling. I stopped scrolling & sat still rather bored. I decided to start my geography assignments & gosh! The surprise I got. It was not a 1 page or 10 page assignment. No, it would’ve been better. This assignment was rather something in which we had to elaborate about everything we have learnt since 5th grade. I tried to finish but failed miserably.

1 night before the submission:

I somehow covered the syllabus till 7th grade but there was still a mountain to complete. The whole night was spent writing by me. I finished till 11th grade somehow. Now I was sitting in homeroom writing and explaining our current syllabus of Geography. “Is it done?” Kate asked “Almost” I mumbled.

5 minutes till submission: “…. And it’s done!” I said exaggerating with joy. “And we’re late for class.” Diana said matching my tone. We reached the class and submitted our assignments. From this day onwards I stopped procrastinating.

By Sawani Sameer Karpe