Student Life

Better Late Than Never

We admit it: We procrastinated while writing this article. We read a couple of magazines, checked Blitz and sang along to whatever song was on the radio. To actually get the work done, we needed Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke, chocolate Powerbars and three CDs by Belgian rock bands (if we can't understand the language, then we can't sing along). Turns out we're in good company. According to a national survey conducted by Questia Media, "confessed procrastinators" don't do so badly: About three-quarters of stu-dents surveyed kept their GPA above a 3.0. Questia also found that caffeine was just as necessary as books and word processors when it comes to writing papers.

We surveyed some Dartmouth students to find out how they post pone their studying and what tools they use to get through the inevitable all-nighter.

Instead of work: "I read random things thrown under my door, student publications."

Late-night fix: "I seclude myself."

Andrey Vakhovskiy '03

Instead of work: "Talking to anyone who will have a conversation with me and reading The Washington Post

online—I'm from Washington, D.C." Late-night fix: "The thought that I'm going to fail—that's my motivation."

Jill Haltigan '03

Instead of work: "Making friends."

Late-night fix: "Mostly coffee, but also a little beer. Too much caffeine makes you wired. You need the stimulant of coffee, but the mellow effect of alcohol keeps you in your seat. It's more of an art than a science."

Oliver Kramer '02

Instead of work: "I spend a lot of time at meals...I could sit here for hours." Late-night fix: "Caffeine, in the form of Coca-Cola and the chai from Novack Cafe."

Anila Thomas '01

Instead of work: "I make phone calls, pick up food at Food Court or Collis, and check Blitz."

Late-night fix: "I pack up and go somewhere, so I'm not in my room. I make an activity out of it."

Rebecca Eley '02

Instead of work: "A run, usually around Occom Pond or Rip Road."

Late-night fix: "I'm more focused right when I get back. Being outside clears my mind."

-Gina Luciano '02