Last Thursday (by which I mean 25 April 2024), driving home quite late in the evening, I heard a short anthropological programme on BBC Radio 4 entitled “Why Do We Procrastinate?”.
You too can hear that programme, by clicking this link, as long as you don’t put off doing so for too long.
The programme made me think about my procrastination-ridden period 40 years ago, when I should have been revising more profoundly for my finals than I managed. It also reminded me that I wanted soon to publish the second part of my mini-series, based on that experience, “How not to revise for your finals at Keele”.
I must get that piece written and out this weekend,
I thought to myself. But guess what? A different idea hove into my my mind and I wrote something completely different instead.
Having got to Monday, I then resolved to procrastinate yet longer. But that would be too straightforward. So, this evening, I have decided to put off my procrastination until tomorrow and write the piece right now.
Trying Revising In Liverpool
Thursday, 12 April 1984 – Left Keele after sorting out various business. Arrived [at Bobbie Scully’s place in Wallasey] late afternoon – had dinner – did a little work – went to a pub after.
Friday, 13 April 1984 – Very little today – walking dog etc. eating etc. Went Liverpool in eve – didn’t do much – not feeling so good.
Saturday 14 April 1984 – Not feeling too well today – very little work – walked dog etc etc – went to local pub in eve – worked and watched film after.
Sunday, 15 April 1984 – Rose quite late – packed etc – left Liverpool after lunch – got home [Streatham]. Picked up to eat – did little.
It’s quite possible that I set my standards of diligence and industry a little higher now than I did in 1984, but I would rate my performance, in the matter of doing plenty of revision during those few days on Merseyside, as dismal.
Might London have worked better?
Trying Revising In London
Monday, 16 April 1984 – Did little work today – G[randma] Jenny and U[ncle] Louis came over for Seder Night.
Tuesday, 17 April 1984 – Did some work – went shopping after. Fairly easy day today – easy evening.
Wednesday, 18 April 1984 – Did some work today – went to Kingston Liberal Seder with Grandma Jenny and Uncle Louis in evening.
Thursday, 19 April 1984 – Worked quite hard today – did little else in fact apart from work.
Friday, 20 April 1984 – Did a little work today – went out for Indian meal – family came over an evening.
Saturday 21 April 1984 – Did a little work & taping today. Paul came over in evening.
Sunday, 22 April 1984 – Did very little work today. Makro [Charlton] in morning – big Carretto [Italian Restaurant in Streatham] lunch in afternoon – did little else all day apart from write up dad’s books.
Monday, 23 April 1984 – Did some work today – went for walk with dad in afternoon – evening taped and spoke to people.
Hmmm. The Liverpool experiment was no more than one out of ten on the revision front. London possibly scores four out of ten.
Still, Passover and Easter are now done. Time to return to Keele and see the thing through on campus.
Trying Revising At Keele
Tuesday, 24 April 1984 – Came back to Keele today – went to the union for a drink at last orders.
Wednesday, 25 April 1984 – Tried to do some work – shopped – went to Ashley etc – last orders in union.
Thursday 26 April 1984 – did a little work today – Bobbie came back late afternoon – did little for rest of day.
Friday, 27 April 1984 – Got up quite late. Went shopping in Newcastle – did some work in the evening.
Saturday 28 April 1984 – Tried to do some work today – went over to Bobbie’s – fairly lazy evening.
Sunday, 29 April 1984 – Did a little work today – went and had a game of tennis with Pudding [Alan Gorman aka The Great Yorkshire Pudding] in early evening – went over to Bobbie’s in eve.
Monday, 30 April 1984 – Did some work today (not much) – did a little more over at Bobbie’s in evening.
Let’s not worry too much about this, folks. My first Law paper was set for 19 May, so there were still 18 revision days until then. But let’s also be honest about it; I seemed to be finding distractions wherever I went. Worse yet, those tennis courts were oh so enticing whenever I looked out of my Barnes L54 window and Alan “Great Yorkshire Pudding” Gorman was often on hand to help me get some much needed fresh air and exercise.
Part Three will follow when I can procrastinate no longer and write up the first three weeks of May 1984. Don’t hold your breath, but I’m aiming for publishing it three weeks hence.
What Mr Harris fails to mention is that he was so brainy he didn’t really need to revise very much at all, so those panic inducing deadlines for the rest of us were mere bumps in the road towards the Motorway of life for the young man; or old man if you are as young as me.