Students Procrastinate Their March Exam Studying

I looked up at the ceiling and my mind was in a blank state. I rolled over, turning my head to peer at the clock. It was 2:29 am and I would have to get up in five short hours. My math exam was tomorrow, wait no, today, and I needed to get an A if I wanted to pass the class. I thought back on my day and all that had gone wrong. 

My alarm was blaring, and I stretched my arm to turn it off. I rubbed my eyes, squinting just enough to make out the number 11. Letting out a large yawn, I floundered out of bed and into the shower. It was Sunday, March 12th, the day before my biggest exam. I had planned out the entire day the night before on a tight schedule, starting with my wake-up at 8 a.m. I was disappointed in myself since I had already botched my first task. I exited the shower, walking back into my room to look at my schedule. I had spread out the studying along the day as the Riverdale teachers ALWAYS emphasized; I was going to do it the right way for the first time ever, attempting to steer away from my classic cram method. I had a review packet to go over throughout the day to prepare myself, and, after, I would eat dinner, shower, and go to bed. 

I laid back down on my bed, thinking about how I could revise my schedule because of my late wake-up. Suddenly, my phone jumped up from my desk. I picked it up and saw that my friend was calling. He was the strongest student in my math class. I thought to myself about the benefits of his call; maybe he could help me with the potential questions I had. Instead, he invited me out to eat, and, when I tried to protest, told me that I could do work at his house after. So I went to eat, not being one to refuse a free meal, and, after, I went to my friend’s house to work. 

When I got there, I looked down at my watch in the elevator at 1:17pm. Time felt like it was moving faster than ever before. I sat down on his couch and opened up the packet. ìI just have to get started, I thought to myself. I started working on the first problem when a controller landed on my sheet knocking my pencil out of my hand. My friend asked me to play with him, and I should have said no, but I couldnít resist the urge. We played for a while, too long, and before I knew it it was dark outside. It was almost 7 pm and I had just wasted 6 hours playing a video game. I yelled at my friend for distracting me, hiding the fact that it was my fault, and rushed out the door. 

Finally home, I checked my watch again reading 7:44. Okay I need to stop fooling around and get this done. I showered once again and scarfed down my dinner. 8:03 appeared on my computer when I cracked it open at my desk. I turned on a timer and some classical music. I was primed and ready to work. I looked down at my desk and realized my math packet wasnít there. I had put it in my pocket when I rushed home from my friendís house, but it must have fallen out. What was I going to do? The packet was personalized to me as each student got their own copy with different problems. There was no online version and the idea of making a copy never presented itself to me. The only thing I could do was find it. I threw on my warmest jacket and retraced my steps.

I had just given up hope when I saw it lying on the street, its first page glimmering like water in the desert. I ran into the street and held it in the sky. I yelled ìYou will not defeat me!î Suddenly, I heard a honk and when I looked up, two headlights were inches away. What happened next was a blur; there was shouting on the street with many people gathered around me. Soon an ambulance came and brought me to the hospital. I insisted that I was fine and just to drop me home. My watch read 11:29 as I stared out of the window on the ride home. My parents were sure to be asleep as they were going to bed when I left. My math packet was run over at the scene and unlike me it did not survive. I finally made it home and I was exhausted. I probably had broken bones, my head pounded, and I still had no work completed in my packet. I fell asleep for a little  before waking up and looking at the clock once again; it said 2:29am.