Bear at the Door

i. Gene has a pretty big test in a few days (bear; significant), which he hasn't prepared for at all (pressing; forces action). He's having trouble getting the motivation to try when it might not do him any good (internal conflict).

ii. Michael gets held up in traffic (bear) when he's supposed to be at work (pressing); if he's late again, he might get suspended (significant). He's unsure which route he should take (internal conflict).

iii. In a chess tournament, Henry is going to be inevitably paired against his good friend Dylan; Henry doesn't mind friendly games, but he doesn't enjoy playing competitive matches against friends. He's unsure how he should play this match. 

Saturday. A day Gene would normally pass by hanging out with friends or playing games, but he has a science test. On Monday.

"Ugh," he sighs aloud. How am I gonna learn everything?

Gene is self aware enough to admit that his procrastination might be a problem; doing ten minutes of studying is fruitless when immediately drowned in thirty minutes of YouTube. Then, an idea strikes him: why not alternate between music and studying? Gene sends a text to Jeff, his friend and capable classmate.

G: hey, u ready for the chem test?

J: eh, kinda. doin some last min prep

J: u?
G: ah. im not ready at all

G: going2 try studying a bit today

G: wanna quiz each other in an hr?

J: o sure

J: sounds good

That sent a surge of adrenaline through his veins. Gene spent the better part of the next hour reading about thermodynamics, before quizzing and being quizzed by Jeff.

G: did i get them all right?

J: yep, think so

G: alright cool. talk again in 1-2 hrs?

J: sure thing

Despite the temptation to procrastinate, Gene found this system largely effective--and got an A- on his test.

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