To start off, I got good grades in first year university and was accepted into one of their "co-op" programs and was scheduled to seek work in the summer.
By second year my grades started to slip as I was procrastinating as always and often found myself not being able to study everything I wanted for exams.
I ended up repeating 2 of courses (repeated courses had an average around 50%) in the summer and ended up with roughly the same average (around 50% AGAIN!) due to procrastination. However this time around, I started out with better marks in the beginning of the course and ended with terrible marks at the end.
Moreover during my 2nd year I was working. I often came late for morning shifts (1-3 hours late!!) and sometimes I even miss the shift entirely!!! My manager also would sometimes text "Would you like some hours today?" or something along those lines. It seems like an implicit way of saying "I need you to work today" but I always decline the offer saying I have group work to do. I also ignored the text messages sometimes and she (manager) has noticed this.
Moreover, the only career option that I know the most about so far is accounting. THe courses I repeated and did terrible on were also accounting. For seeking work for the summer, I eliminated accounting for the jobs that I would go for because of this. After a meager job search of 10 sent out Cover Letter/ Resumes I stopped trying. The recommended applications is 30!!!!
I want to apply to jobs again but I have until the end of August to find a work placement for Fall. I figured its best to put up a fight before I get kicked out of the co-op program if I don’t find a job until the end of August.
But in my opinion, I find that my previous job where I consistently and excessively came late and performed poorly would affect my chances of landing a job. Moreover my poor academic experience as shown by my failure to do significantly better on my repeated courses would also negatively impact my image to employers.
What I planned out was to complete the 100 (30min ea) online courses set out by my previous job and start working there again to rebuild my image. At the same time, I would have to apply to any positions I can find.
However, I would like some advice on how to go about improving my chances, in this situation, to find a work placement. Equally important, I am looking forward your suggestions on how I can overcome my procrastination problems.
nb. I do about anything when I procrastinate: play games, watch movies, do nothing, play guitar, do house work, read blogs, read Reddit/Digg, tennis
nb.I also find it hard to focus on the readings/work until I am either on the day before the deadline or the day of the deadline
Procrastination is a sign of control. You are procrastinating because you feel like you have no control and timeliness or lack thereof is the only control you have over your situation.
First of all, take a deep breath. Your job, your education, does not define you. Find your purpose in life and that will be your job. The good thing is that it won’t even feel like work because you will enjoy it.
Obviously Accounting is not what you want to do. Obviously the job you were three hours late for is not what you want to do. Find what you want to do and do it!
Maybe not being in the co-op program wouldn’t be such a bad idea if it is not in your heart to do.
This sounds like a tough time in your life. You sound like an intelligent person. I am sure you already have the tools you need to be successful. You just need to take a deep breath and relax a minute. Go for a walk, exercise and let your gut feeling guide you. You always have choices. You are not stuck in anything. You are who matters, not what your family or friends think what you should be doing. Do what you enjoy doing and you will be successful.
Take care.