"I think that Sunday afternoon is a great time to start my homework. I like not to think of the negative aspects of school 'til the last possible minute."
Listen to this Commentary!
By David Barber-Callaghan
With the various distractions of this day and age, procrastination is a pastime of many, and some have even mastered it as an art form. Youth Radio's David Barber-Callaghan is one of many youth who fall victim to the lure of the weekends. He waits 'til the last possible minute before he decides to do his homework-- even though he's had a very close call. (February 5 on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday)
DAVID
For me, the weekend is a chance to take life at a slower pace, lounge about, watch TV and play the guitar.
It would be perfect, but an annoying question arises each weekend that jars me from my carefree world.
DAD (on tape)
David, do you have any homework left to do?
DAVID
You see, every Friday after school, I have a brief discussion with my father about when I'm going to attack the mountains of work that my teachers have thoughtfully assigned me.
DAD (on tape)
I think, ideally, it's good to get your homework done as fast as possible.
DAVID
On the other hand, I think that Sunday afternoon is a great time to start my homework. I like not to think of the negative aspects of school 'til the last possible minute.
My dad's probably right, that it would be better for me not to procrastinate, but...I think I'm old enough to decide when I want to do my homework. Also, I get my work done on time and enjoy my weekends. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
DAD (on tape)
There's one notorious episode, where you had this science project-- and lo and behold, this project materializes on a Sunday afternoon.
DAVID
Okay, okay. So there was this one weekend when I had several hours of homework, but I didn't do my homework when I got home at noon on Thursday.
DAD (on tape)
That was a bit of a shock. I think that it was a bit of a shock, even to you, to realize there was so much work to be done at the last minute.
DAVID
I admit-- I could barely manage all the work. But, I got an 'A' on the homework. So, I went right back to procrastination the next weekend.
- This story was produced by Youth Radio in collaboration with Blunt Radio in Portland, Maine.
|
|
