As a self-proclaimed expert in high school work ethic, I’ve noticed that we the students tend to rely on one of three methods to keep us afloat throughout the school year. For the most part, we either choose to (1) work diligently to earn each grade or (2) use the diligent work of others to imitate the grades of others.

The third method, putting off the work until the very last minute, is equally as effective when done correctly; however, it is often frowned upon. We are told from the start of our academic career that procrastination is a sign of laziness, but with seven classes, after school activities, and social lives, procrastinators should be given some slack.

Let’s set the scene. Each academic year begins with a handful of syllabi, assemblies, and confusing bell schedules. As we ease into autumnal weather, every day becomes routine and we start to get a feel for what our priorities are. The excitement of the year has worn off and many students are in a sort of survival mode, with the numbers they receive daily in Infinite Campus as their only motivation to complete assignments. This is where students are forced to adapt to their schedules and figure out a way to fit all of their homework in. The diligent workers who follow method one never have a problem with this, and those who are academically dishonest acquire the answers via friends or the Internet.

But for procrastinators, this is the point where they begin to figure out how to avoid being finished with assignments until they absolutely need to be. In the minds of slackers, the satisfaction of being finished with an assignment right on time is arguably greater than the satisfaction of being finished with an assignment early. Furthermore, because these students are already suffering under a heavy workload, they shouldn’t be condemned for dealing with said workload in their own way–as long as the job gets done.

Every weekday is the same: we go to school, get the grade, go home, and work hard to get another grade. Not all of us strive to be the best, but it cannot be denied that the school system has ingrained A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s, and F’s into our brains, five letters constantly gnawing at the back of our heads, keeping us either on our toes or flat on our faces. No matter how we handle the pressure and stress, getting the work done is ultimately what keeps a smile on the teacher’s face and happiness in the student’s heart.