Last Paper Syndrome

I think that every student has experienced what is known as the last paper syndrome. When you know that you’re about to reach your finish line, you’re about to face the last hurdle but you just don’t have the energy to start studying. Last Paper Syndrome or LPS, as defined by Syahmi Sazali, is a mental distraction for those who are having their last paper but already have the feeling of starting their holiday early and not studying at all. AT ALL. Procrastination reaches exponential levels and everything except actual studying is done.

I know people who even start packing their bags to go home instead of studying! That’s how intense last paper syndrome can be. I think that last paper syndrome can be seen in many areas of our lives. Think about it. When you’re cooking an elaborate Sunday lunch and you get down to having to make that last salad. Does that thought of rather skipping it not cross your mind? You probably convince yourself and say “nah, if I add one more salad the plate is going to be too full.”

Some people see last paper syndrome as self-sabotage. “You’re almost there, why not do your best and then rest later?” They’ll say. And a part of me agrees with them. But I’ve also been on the other end. When I felt like I had spent all of my energy on the previous exams and am now left to scrape up the last bit of energy that I have in order to see the last one through.

A mental distraction is anything that prevents you from concentrating your mind on something or someone else. In this case we can even say that our busy schedules sometimes act as mental distractions from things that are the real priorities in life.

Isn’t that true for our spiritual lives as well? When you’ve seen victories in a couple of trials and tribulations and it looks like another storm is coming your way and you just don’t know how you’re going to get through it? You’ve been working on your prayer life and things were going well but now procrastination is knocking at the door again.

Isn’t it funny how “procrastination” always knocks when you’re about to finish well? When you’re about to see something all the way to the end? When you can see the finish line and your knees start to get weak, don’t give up. Scrape up the last bit of energy that you have and run your little butt off. You can rest later. But don’t rest on your success.





I am an Occupational Therapist by profession, but I have many roles that bring meaning to my life. In short, I love people, books and love.

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