as if you need more ideas: top internet-based finals procrastination strategies.

[brian lauter]

Yesterday I wrote about the scientifically documented rise of internet-based procrastination during finals and its psychological roots.  Since then I’ve conducted a methodologically rigorous “observational study” in an attempt to document this phenomenon.

In honor of the upcoming finals season, I’ve put together a list of the most common forms of internet-based procrastination I witnessed.  If you enjoy long titles, you can call it my 2008 List of Top Internet-Based Finals Procrastination Strategies.

1. Facebook

This one’s pretty obvious, nothing beats studying for finals like reading pithy Facebook status messages complaining about studying for finals.

2. Netflix Queue

This is a relatively new one, at least to me.  I don’t have the Netflix, but my cinemaphilic friends tell me they spend hours browsing new movies and rearranging their Netflix queues, even when they haven’t dared watch a movie in months.

3. Holiday Shopping

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Festivus, chances are you’ve spent a significant amount of time frittering your financial aid money away at online retailers. Sure, you could just go shopping after finals are over, but bricks and mortar is just not as much fun.

4. Blogs

I’m not privy to traffic information on this blog, but I’d bet that it increases substantially during finals. There’s no better way to feel like you’re still part of the outside world than to read commentary on it from other people who never go outside. (Ed. note: He's right!)

5. Downloading Software

Scratch #1.  Nothing says finals like new software.  This year I plan on spending a few hours a week messing around with Digsby, which I hear is “life-changing.”

And last, but not least:

6. Internet Dating

Don’t be confused, this is not internet dating in the sense of going out on dates with people you meet on the internet – its finals, you can’t leave the desk, remember?  The real value of internet dating is that it vests in its users the power to judge thousands of people without leaving the privacy of their homes/law libraries.  To get started (or to have a good laugh), check out lawyersinlove.com.

I know there are many more quality internet-based procrastination methods.  Let me know if you have any additions — I’ll probably be bored with these in no time...

Comments

[Scott Graham (Cal Law editor)]

What about Twitter?

[Martin Magnusson]

Video games didn't make the list!

Nor did watching youtube videos.

I can't believe it.

[Jeff Paul Scam]

I love the IT technology, my dad got me my first pc for my birthday and ever since I became a big IT freak. I started internet marketing for the last four months and still looking for material that can help my marketing.