I was the drama

Dear York Students,

True confessions: When I was in college, I was the drama.  In fact, when I became a college professor, my college bestie Wendy often threatened to tell my students about the kind of college student I really was.

So let me spill the beans myself: I never missed class, and I always sat in the front to take notes, but…. I created unnecessary drama for myself by waiting until the last minute to start papers and assignments and ignoring deadlines.  In fact, back then if you looked up the word procrastination in the dictionary, there would be a picture of me (and Wendy) next to the definition. I created more drama for myself thinking that I could “get things done at the last minute”, or “just remember” deadlines for readings, class assignments, papers from all my course syllabi. That strategy worked… until it didn’t. Back then, I didn’t make lists, and I didn’t plan.  Email was just becoming a “thing” and there was no such thing as going on Blackboard/ Brightspace to access the information I needed or even email my professor or a classmate to get help or clarification.  Add to procrastination to that and all you have is pure drama. 

Fortunate for you, you will never know the pain of waiting until the last minute to write (and by write, I mean I didn’t do drafts of papers), and type papers on a typewriter. You will never know the pain of running out of ink, or white out to correct your mistakes, or the ribbon getting tangled up in the middle of the night so you couldn’t get your paper done.  Procrastination and Murphy’s Law (anything that can go wrong, will go wrong) often coexisted and still does.   But there is a way to avoid the drama it causes.

Looking back on my college days, and now as a college president, I see how small habits make a huge difference. I don’t have classes, but I have equally important responsibilities.  My days are packed with meetings, decisions, and unexpected challenges, and the only way I stay on top of it all is by doing the things I avoided in college: writing lists, checking emails and planning.

I also understand the value of working with other people. I know, I know, I hated group projects when I was in college, but as president, I have a team, and each person has a different area of expertise. I rely on them to lead their areas. They’re also a big help in thinking through ideas and accomplishing goals. If you don’t already have a team, you can build one from your classmates. Study groups and study buddies aren’t just about sharing notes—they help you stay accountable, learn from different perspectives, and make the journey less stressful and a lot more fun.

And as we move into the end of the semester, save yourself unnecessary drama. Be proactive, get organized and improve your focus.  Start by a list of everything you need to accomplish for this week, start laying the groundwork for assignments that will be due soon, reach out to a classmate to study with, and carve out intentional time for your schoolwork. These habits will not only help you finish strong, but they’ll also set you up for success long after college.

Have a great week!

Claudia Schrader, EdD

President