The art of punctuality

While writing this article, I have to be punctual. I have a word count, a specific deadline and topic. I have to plan my time and ensure my article is written to a high quality. The printing press waits for nobody. This reflects the necessity of punctuality within life.

Whether it’s arriving on time to lectures, meeting essay deadlines, catching the bus, attending exams on time or going on a society night out, to be punctual is a key part of the university experience. Time dominates the activities we engage in and the routine of not just university life but daily living.

Arriving on time means events start smoothly, there is little delay and individuals can generally feel less stressed. Instead of constantly engaging in the rush of arriving late, out of breath, coffee in hand, punctuality allows individuals to feel more confident and assured about their routine.

Punctuality is seen as the exception rather than the norm

Yet it is something we can all fail at. Punctuality is seen as the exception rather than the norm. Whether because of wasted time, delayed buses, changes of routine or pure laziness, lateness is viewed as the normal, unashamed characteristic.

Though New Year’s Resolutions often aspire towards being on time and more organised, these are rarely met in reality. How can this be changed then?

Though I pride myself on being a relatively punctual individual, there are always occasions where I turn up slightly later than usual. On every occasion, I feel more stressed, less alert and highly regretful of how much earlier I could have woken.

If an individual has always arrived late, it’s not easy to change that habit

There is simply nothing beneficial to continually turning up late, often due to time wasted. There is no easy way to alter one’s behaviour. If an individual has always arrived late, it’s not easy to change that habit.

Inevitably, a change in lifestyle from the regular late arrivals to a seamless attendance at an event with time to spare wouldn’t happen automatically. Multiple steps are required to make the smooth transition to valuing, and being a beacon of, punctuality.

It is important to remember why you are attending a location in the first place. Though it’s likely someone will arrive late, remembering the purpose of your attendance is necessary and worthwhile.

Before attending the event, think about why it is that you’re attending the event in the first place

If it’s a lecture at 9am, the early start may be a pain but it’s worth the inconvenience for longer term education. Perhaps it’s a meeting with a friend at Curiositea who you’re desperate to catch up with. Before attending the event, think about why it is that you’re attending the event in the first place.

Throughout university, the importance of research and preparation, whether for a seminar or end of year exam, is repeatedly instilled. Such traits shouldn’t just be for the academic world, but a pinnacle part of your daily life. If you’re one for being late, why not find the location of your seminar room before the day of your first seminar? The excuse of getting lost is therefore far less likely.

Being reliant on the bus everyday means looking ahead at the timetable is surely essential or even – and this might make you shiver – catching an early bus. Preparing for all scenarios means arriving on time is far more likely.

There is nothing wrong with striving towards a punctual lifestyle

That being said, lateness may still be the norm. So why not mentally trick yourself? On the surface, this may sound deceptive and manipulative, but in reality, it is nothing of the sort. I used to have a teacher who would always set her classroom clock five minutes fast. That ensured the lesson would finish on time and all the actives would be completed, simply because she believed there was less time than she actually had.

This could work just as easily on a bedroom clock. By believing the incorrect time, you are likely to turn up at a reasonable hour. With a desire for greater punctuality must come acceptance. None of us are – or should be – perfect. There will always be occasions where, because of factors outside our control, our arrival is delayed. These have to be accepted and recognised. But there is nothing wrong with striving towards a punctual lifestyle, for organisation, the respect of others and greater clarity. We can all take small steps to improve this. Now, I must head off to my next seminar…