How to Procrastinate and Feel Good About It

Once again, we have come to "that time of the year," Finals Week. In my opinion, radio stations should hold off on the Christmas music for just a little while and stick to only power ballads and inspirational songs. And also, it's worth mentioning that I consume far more sweets, salty snacks, and generally terrible foods when I'm too busy freaking out to eat normal things. So maybe our holiday baking should be geared towards that sort of thing for a bit as well.

Aaaanyways, seeing as we'll all most likely be procrastinating a good bit more than studying in the coming weeks, I decided to compile this helpful list of ways to procrastinate while still feeling (remotely, and if you squint your eyes a little) productive.

1. Hygiene: Now this may sound a little weird, but really, when was the last time you flossed? Have you plucked your eyebrows recently? Is it possible that you need to trim your nails? Gents, No-shave November is over. Shave like you mean it. Ladies, paint your nails, or do some sort of face mask/ conditioning treatment. Pumice your feet or something. Basically, do anything that takes longer than usual. 

Reason why this might actually be a good idea: This entire process has the added benefit of making you feel super awesome and really ridiculously good looking the next day. I'm about to sound like a Cosmo, but I feel like I do better on tests when I feel confident.

2. Watch that art film you've been meaning to watch: Instead of watching Jersey Shore of Cake Boss or My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, watch something that you can name drop later instead. You probably already have some pretentious film-snob friend that you can ask for a recommendation so I won't try to give you one from my limited knowledge. Just make sure to ask for a long one. 

Seriously though, movies have an end in sight. At least if you allow yourself one full-length film, you won't end up watching a marathon Law & Order event or something. 

3. Excercise: Whaaaattt? If you know me at all you know that I'm not pro-moving when you don't have to. But I feel like this is a worthy cause. GC kids, you could always take a trip to the new health center and try out that lazy river. Then maybe you can ease yourself into the idea of actually getting on a machine. Plus, I'm told that exercise relieves stress. It might be the break you need.

4. Clean: Really get in there. Dust. Mop under the furniture. Use bleach. Test all the pens in your home to see if they work. Throw out your leftovers. So this one is kind of a stretch, but it's easier to concentrate in a clean environment.

5. Read the news: If you're gonna surf the web, you might as well be informed because of it. Go check the major online news sources: New York Times, BBC, NPR, whatever you fancy. Maybe stay away from Yahoo celeb news though. If it's got more pictures than words try something else.

6. Write a blog that helps others: (wink, wink)

Now for a short list of "absolutely-nots."

• Unless you really can't stand Pandora, don't make a "study playlist." Laboring for hours on that thing will not be worth it in the long run no matter what you tell yourself.
• Big one. Facebook, once a day, preferably in the morning before classes. 
• Don't watch Buffy. This is more for myself than anyone else, but stay away from your guilty television pleasures. 
• And for the love of God, do not Stumble, and do not get on Reddit or Pintrest or Youtube or Hulu. Do that shit in your free time. Your entire month of delicious free time. 

GOOD LUCK!