Opinion by J1 Reporter Erin Walter

Right now, as I type, the time on my iPad reads 8:10 a.m. Monday morning. That’s funny, because the last time I was asleep was 8:10 a.m…Sunday.

Yes, that is right, you read correctly. I have been awake for 24-straight hours. Why? Well, to answer this question simply, I’ve been awake for 24 straight hours because short-term due dates just no longer exist.

Last night, I was up at all hours of the night writing a paper that is worth almost as much as a major test in the class. Okay yeah, I get it, the paper was assigned at least four weeks ago, and I took it upon myself to get started on it at 9:20 p.m. the night before it was due. What can I say? I’ve always been one to procrastinate.

Let me just say this: if my teacher would have thrown just a couple of short-term due dates on to the calendar, I can guarantee last night wouldn’t have been so bad. Like, hey, the outline is due here and the first draft is due there.

Nope. “Your final paper—worth a significant amount of your grade—is due Monday at 8 a.m.”

Alright, cool. Thanks.

I’m not really a big fan of that 8 a.m. due date, either. I prefer the traditional Monday night at 11:59 p.m. That way I still have the school day to ask any last-minute questions.

I know, I know, I probably should have taken it upon myself to set personal due dates, but that just is not my thing. I need that little push from my teacher with a short-term due date to keep me on track.

I think that short-term due dates are truly a key to success. When smaller parts of a big project have separate due dates, I tend to be a lot more organized. Also, when it comes to putting it all together for the final due date, I tend to be more successful when parts of it have already been completed and, ideally, checked by my teacher.

Don’t get me wrong, I had an absolute blast researching, putting together an outline and a rough first draft, writing my final paper, and turning it in exactly one minute before it was due on turnitin, but I would gladly never do it all in one night again. Bring back the short-term due dates, please.