Esther Barnes
English Theme
January 16, 1933
Of the nine weeks during the last quarter why do I invariably choose the last week to do practically all the work of the entire quarter? There are books to be read, things to be memorized, notebooks due, and typing to be made up—all before the end of this week. My motto seems to be—“Never do today that which can be done tomorrow.” I am guilty of procrastination. (That’s one of the new words in my vocabulary. If you wish to know the meaning I advise you to consult Webster.)
I have so many things to be done within a certain length of time, I find it necessary to budget my work. I decided to take my work as it comes according to classes. First, I shall write the bibliography required of me in American history. At last it is completed. With a feeling of relief I hand it to the teacher.
“H’m, I see you have left out the number of pages.” No, my ears weren’t playing tricks on me. I must have the number of pages in the reference book. Reluctantly I spend another hour in the library. Again, the work is completed; again I hand it to the teacher.
“You didn’t put down on which page the book started—on page three, five or fifty.” Whoever heard of a book starting on any other page besides page one? However, the teacher agreed to accept the work.
How am I ever going to memorize those two pages and a half for dramatics? And just two days to do it in. Maybe I can do it if I concentrate. What have I done with my time? Where it goes so quickly, I do not know.
After spending two hours every day for a week in typing, I finally have succeeded in making up those back lessons. I hereby, firmly resolve to get my lessons every day for now until—well, next quarter anyway.
As for physical training—well, I really haven’t had time to write that eight hundred word theme, that is, I don’t think I have. Maybe I can manage the required number of words by counting all the a’s, and’s, and the’s.
At the end of every quarter I resolve to do the work required of me every day, but as all other resolutions I make it is broken. But honestly, this next quarter I am going to hand my work in by the last day, at least.
Teacher’s comment: S