Ever been reprimanded for pushing an assignment to the last possible day? Cursed yourself for pulling that all-nighter to get your work done? You are not alone. In an efficiency-obsessed society like ours, it is no wonder starting things late is seen as irresponsible and careless. Sure, the early bird gets the worm, but to all the procrastinators out there, there is benefit to your method as well. I'd like to suggest that there are three core benefits to procrastination: efficiency, good decision making, and prioritization. In our school, more than half of the 11th graders identify as procrastinators. The reason? With stress build up, it is logical for the brain to focus on other tasks and avoid taking on the immense stress-provoking tasks ahead. However, these procrastinators learn unparalleled life skills in the long run. Those who leave required assignments for the last minute surely learn how to accomplish much in a small time interval, a truly commendable ability, useful not only on standardized tests and AP exams, but also within the workforce at large as tasks become more demanding.

        In addition, author Frank Partnoy claims in his novel, "Wait: The Art and Science of Delay," that the best time to make a decision is at the last moment possible, further proving the theory that waiting to do something has value. According to his idea, one should take a deep breath and evaluate the situation at hand. At the point necessary to complete the task and make the decision, one not only has a clear understanding of the decision, but also is able to say "yes" or "no" without wiggle room to ponder the decision or go back and change the answer. Therefore, procrastination within the realm of decision-making is beneficial.

        Procrastinators must prioritize. This statement is perhaps the most hidden benefit of all due to its similarity to a con. While some may argue procrastinators do the bare necessities, and that is not positive, I beg to differ. The truth is, procrastinators have the ability to say, "I WILL do this, but I WILL NOT do that." It is often a struggle for humankind to break down what truly matters. Procrastinators have it covered, as by only doing what is necessary, they define necessity. Seeing a situation for what it truly is, is a life skill procrastinators gain. While in a time crunch, one can reassess a situation and eliminate any unnecessary tasks.

This is not to say everyone should wait until the last possible moment to assess necessary work. However, there are both short term and long term benefits for those of us who simply cannot get ahead of the game.