…Yes, we just made up “WBPS,” but c’mon now… can’t you relate?!

For many of us, procrastination isn’t even a “sickness,” it’s a way of life. You know you’re a procrastinator if you still had a gift on hold and a few more to buy on Christmas Eve. And, if you are still buying gifts for those you’ve yet to see, it’s time to take a moment to re-evaluate things. Is this the same way you approach studying, schoolwork, or even seeking admission to college?

Fortunately, colleges are aware of students’ tendency to procrastinate and how it could keep you from doing your best in school.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to procrastination (a New Year’s resolution, maybe?), see if your schools offer workshops to beat this bad habit. Seminars have included “Winning the Battle with Procrastination” at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and “Procrastination Holding You Back?” at Virginia Tech. The free or cheap workshops also often don’t require pre-registration, probably a plus for procrastinators.

I found some really useful tips offered by Nebraska’s Chadron State College on how to change your mindset from procrastination to action.

1. Instead of: I don’t know where to begin so I can’t begin at all.
Do this: The most important step is to pick one project to focus on.

2. Instead of: It’s too much. I’ll never get it all done.
Do this: What is the one next step on my list? I’ll concentrate on that step for right now.

3. Instead of: I’ll do my writing this weekend at home.
Do this: I’ll write during the week in the library.

I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to shopping this year – and it’s definitely something worth learning when studying, too.

From Macs taking over campuses to comic book movies invading the cinema, geek culture is here to stay. As a result, we’ve seen the rise of dozens of geek icons over the decades – from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs to the directors, the Wachowskis – who have helped set the pace for geeks everywhere. But behind nearly every geek hero of today, lies an interesting origin story that either helped create them or challenged them to succeed despite the odds.

In honor of these great geeks and their pasts, here are 26 geek heroes and their jobs before they became famous.

1. Quentin Tarantino – Video Store Clerk to Director

Though his latest film, Inglourious Bastards, caused quite the stir this summer, not many realize the source of Quentin Tarantino’s inspiration. A former video store clerk, the famed filmmaker learned a lot by observing what people watched – including a 1978 Italian flick called Inglorious Bastard.

2. Randall Munroe – NASA to Web Comics

Randall Munroe became famous for his online stick-figure comic at xkcd.com devoted to “romance, sarcasm, math, and language,” in which he often hints at a more scientific past. In fact, the physics grad was once an independent contractor for NASA before he turned to a full-time career in comics.

3. Sam Worthington – Bricklayer to Actor

With a pivotal role in Terminator: Salvation and his lead role in sci-fi thriller Avatar, Sam Worthington is laying down a firm foundation as an icon in geek movies. But before he got started at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, he was laying down a different foundation as a bricklayer in Australia.

4.  Summer Glau – Ballerina to Actress

Star of the sci-fi TV show The Sarah Conner Chronicles and space western Firefly, Summer Glau’s characters show amazing grace when it’s time for a little action. A classically trained ballerina, Glau turned to acting as a back-up plan when a ankle injury ended her budding dancing career at age 19.

5.  Steve Jobs – Atari to Apple

The man who turned apple from a fruit into a household name, Steve Jobs got his start at none other than video game manufacturer Atari. When Atari asked him to create a more productive circuit board, Jobs turned to then-friend, and eventual co-founder of Apple, Stephen Wozniak, to get the job done.

6.  Stan Lee – Obituary Writer to Comic Book Scribe/Former Prez of Marvel Comics

A comic book writer and creator of characters like Iron Man and the X-Men, Stan Lee had a modest start writing obituaries and press releases, delivering sandwiches, and refilling inkwells for the artists at Timely Comics. His proofreading and writing skills would open the door for his comic debut.

7.  Patrick Stewart – Furniture Salesman to Actor

After dropping out of school, Star Trek star Patrick Stewart went from studying drama to working as a reporter. But Stewart wasn’t too dedicated to the job, prompting his employer to issue him an ultimatum: the newspaper or Stewart’s local theatre? The answer was obvious and Stewart worked as a furniture salesman to support himself thereafter.

8 & 9.  The Wachowskis – Carpenters to Directors/Comic Writers

Best known for creating The Matrix, the brother-sister team known as the Wachowskis broke into film by working on comics for Marvel. But before that the two had been busy building a life with their carpentry business in Chicago. During this time the pair was hard at work on the concept that would become The Matrix and its sequels.

10.  Matt Groening – Waiter/Landscaper to Cartoonist/Screenwriter

Cartoonist and writer Matt Groening, whose series “The Simpsons” and “Futurama” would become geek staples, had an unglamorous beginning as a struggling writer in Los Angeles. To get by, Groening bussed tables, washed dishes, and even did landscaping.

11. Malcolm McDowell – Coffee Salesman to Actor

There aren’t many sci-fi or fantasy films that get by without Malcolm McDowell lending his acting chops to them. But before he could star in A Clockwork Orange or the TV series Fantasy Island, McDowell, earned his daily bread by first working in his parents’ pub and then getting a job as a coffee salesman.

12. John Cleese – Science Teacher to Member of Monty Python

An actor and member of the comedy group Monty Python, John Cleese is well know for his sense of humor but he also has a keen mind. In addition to studying law at Cambridge, Cleese briefly worked as a science teacher at his former prep school.

13. Bill Nye – Boeing Engineer to Scientist/TV Host

Before becoming a household name and inspiring a generation of scientists and engineers, Bill Nye himself was a mechanical engineer working for Boeing. When he wasn’t developing the hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor (now used in 747s), he applied to be an astronaut on several occasions.

14. Buzz Aldrin – Air Force Pilot to Astronaut

The second man on the moon, Buzz Aldrin has built a name amongst geeks, even recording a rap song and appearing alongside Snoop Dogg in a FunnyorDie segment. Though he has a gentle image, Aldrin got his start in the U.S. Air Force where he flew 66 combat missions during the Korean War. His non-combat assignment as an aerial gunnery instructor would eventually lead to his life as an astronaut.

15. Joss Whedon – Roseanne Staff Writer to Writer/director

A geek icon of the highest order, Joss Whedon is well-known for the sci-fi and fantasy series he has created such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dollhouse. Before he could earn the cred he would need to create his own series, Whedon got his start writing for Roseanne and script doctoring for several years.

16. Felicia Day – Violinist to Actress/Writer

This geek actress has been in everything from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to the web series The Guild, which she writes and produces. Though she’s now known for her singing, acting, and comedy, Day spent years studying ballet at a professional level and became a talented violinist performing concerts and competitions nationwide before her acting career took off.

17. Jonathan Coulton – Computer Programmer to Singer/Songwriter

Before hitting it big in geek rock and folk music, Jonathan Coulton was a computer programmer expecting his first child. When his daughter was born, he quit his job and devoted his time to composing. His reward? More time at home and a song feature in hit video game Portal.

18. Terry Pratchett – Journalist to Writer

With nearly 60 books under his belt, Terry Pratchett has created a name for himself in the fantasy genre. His books, which tend toward parody, deal with everything from the creation of cinema to the founding of journalism – very appropriate considering he was first a journalist and then a press officer.

19. Guillermo del Toro – Special Effects Make-up Designer to Director/Screenwriter

This writer/director of fantasy and comic films has an eye for design when it comes to cinematography, which comes as no surprise when you realize he got his start in film as a special effects make-up designer. Del Toro stayed in this profession for eight years until his directing career got off the ground.

20. J. K. Rowling – ESL Instructor to Writer

The creator of the most famous boy-wizard there ever was, J.K. Rowling’s own career began as a bilingual secretary for Amnesty International. She continued to put these skills to good use when she moved to Portugal to teach English to students there, and was studying to be a teacher Scotland when she finished her first Harry Potter book.

21. Neil Gaiman – Journalist to Writer

An author of books (Coraline) and comics (The Sandman series) alike, Neil Gaiman’s writing career began with him as a journalist in the 80s. His interviews and book reviews would open the doors he needed to get his first short story published at the age of 23.

22. Alan Moore – Office Drone to Writer/Cartoonist

One of the greatest comic books in existence, Watchmen (now a movie), was written by Alan Moore, a man who turned to menial work as an office drone and cartooning after being expelled from school. It was only once he was unable to live on an artist’s wages, that Moore turned to writing scripts for comics.

23. Stephen King – High School Janitor to Writer

Devoted fans of sci-fi/fantasy writer Stephen King already know that the pivotal gym locker scene in Carrie, has its roots in one of the author’s former jobs as a high school janitor. Though King would eventually teach high school, it was his time cleaning the girl’s locker room that inspired part of Carrie.

24. Jackson Publick – Comic Writer to Writer/Director

Creator and co-writer of the beloved action-comedy cartoon The Venture Bros., Jackson Publick had humble beginnings as a comic writer attempting to get noticed at conventions. After the creator of The Tick hired him as a comic writer, Publick would be promoted to staff writer and storyboard artist.

25. Russell T. Davies – Production Assistant to Writer/Director

Credited with reviving the British sci-fi/fantasy series Doctor Who where he served as producer and writer for five years, Russell T. Davies was only a floor manager and production assistant at the BBC when he began. He combined his work with a director’s course offered by the BBC that would later help him move to producing children’s television.

26. Bill Hader – Assistant Editor on Iron Chef to Actor/Writer

Comic fan and comedian Bill Hader, who wrote a Spider-Man comic with SNL head writer Seth Meyers, was dabbling in comedy in his spare time when SNL hired him. Of course, that meant Hader had to leave his job as an assistant editor on Iron Chef but that was probably fine as Hader admits he was “a pretty lousy assistant editor.”

- Genevieve Blaber

What is your college search like? If you’re too busy or not interested in undertaking a meticulous process, or if you don’t think there are a ton of alternatives, you are not alone.

A new survey of students prepared by Public Agenda for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation found that college selection is taken much less seriously by those who end up dropping out. The study, “With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them,” found that turning into an unsuccessful student starts with being uninformed.

But you don’t have to face your college search like this. And finding the right school for you can be crucial in your quest to graduate.

Don’t start with where your friends are going or where your parents went to school, but instead think about your goals and what you want to do when you graduate from college.

You may not have a clue right now, but you can find out about the array of potential careers – including ones you may have never thought about – by looking at the profession overviews and job forecasts by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or at CollegeSurfing.com. That way when you are looking at potential schools, you will be able to see if they offer degrees in a career field of interest to you.

When I was looking at colleges, I knew I was interested in journalism, and when I looked at potential colleges all over the U.S., I discovered that the University of Georgia was home to the Peabody Awards that recognized the best in electronic media.

Also look at what past students have gotten out of attending a certain college and what school may fit your character traits. Maybe you want a school where there’s not as much pressure to party. Or you might need a school that has a good handle on how to deal with students’ learning disabilities. Those and other schools are among Newsweek’s take on 25 colleges.

Taking another look at how you are looking at colleges could mean finding out what’s the best fit for you – and determine whether you’ll stay the course and graduate.

-Lori Johnston

This is third in CollegeSurfing.com Insider’s series, From Laid Off to Learning. To read more inspiring stories, check back here each Monday or subscribe now.

It’s not always easy to hit the ground running after a layoff, but for Myles Falvella, 58, of Pittsburgh, PA, it was his only option. With his retirement looming in another decade or so, Falvella wanted to find work in a field that would not only continue to pay the bills, but that would pose some interesting challenges for him as well.

Falvella, a former employee in the telecommunications industry, knew a layoff at his company would affect him eventually, so he had time to prepare for his next step, which was to go back to school to learn about alternative energy. After he received his pink slip, Falvella enrolled in the Solar Panel Installation & Maintenance Certification course at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). The 13-week course serves as an  introduction to photovoltaic (PV) systems and is offered at other schools throughout the state. It is part of the expanding CCAC Green Institute, which works to prepare students for environmentally-friendly careers.

“I really enjoy being on a leading-edge [regarding] what’s going on in alternative energy,” says Falvella. At CCAC, he is learning about PV panel installation and maintenance, but Falvella’s ultimate goal is to establish a business in the alternative industry with some of his like-minded friends. Falvella would like to work with residential customers, helping them to determine greener, more energy-efficient ways of living in their homes.

Falvella’s home state of Pennsylvania is a great place for his business ideas: the state is on the fast-track to becoming as environmentally friendly as it can. It currently offers solar power tax incentives to homeowners to the tune of a 65% tax credit, including 30% at the federal level. The reason Falvella returned to the classroom was less of a credential to add to his resume and more of a way to better understand a burgeoning industry.

“I think it helps to get a good handle on the overall opportunity,” Falvella says, noting that he’s not the only one there to gauge the opportunity. While many of his classmates are in the construction industry, working to take their experience to the next level in their current professions, there are other students who, like him, recognize a future in the alternative energy industry.

Going back to school was a logical choice for Falvella, and while he believes education can also help many others who have been laid off, he suggests that they first think long and hard about what it is that they want to study when they return to campus. Many people believe that a degree program is the only way to go, and while it is certainly one way to advance in one’s career, there is much to be said for taking a single class or enrolling in a non-degree certificate program.

Most importantly, Falvella believes that returning students should choose a discipline that will get them excited to begin a new phase in their professional lives.

“In my case, I took what I was comfortable with,” says Falvella of his choice to go “green” in his studies. “This course was dead-on with what I needed.”

~Barbara Bellesi

DO IT NOW: Read more of CollegeSurfing.com Insider’s series, From Laid Off to Learning.

The next holiday party you attend could spark another reason to celebrate.

If your workplace is having a party, or if you’re attending a neighborhood shindig or annual celebration organized by family or friends, look around and you’ll see the careers that help make this time of year even more merry and bright.

It is a tough season for those who typically are booked with company parties as businesses are throwing less lavish events than in the past. CNN.com recently reported that a Challenger, Gray & Christmas survey found 62% of companies are planning holiday festivities this year, compared to 77 percent in 2008 and 90 percent in 2007.

But that percentage is expected to start rising again as the economy rebounds. Plus, there always are special personal occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays where experts are needed to pull off events, big and small. Here’s a look at some party-related professions:

Catering: The hors d’oeuvres, the decadent desserts, the five-course dinners … whatever the menu, the food must impress the crowd. Caterers plan menus, prepare the dishes and oversee the wait staff, which all are essential to a good party. Completing a catering course could help you as you desire to want to work in a ritzy banquet hall, be part of a catering company’s team or own a culinary business.

Hospitality management and event planning: The majority of companies surveyed by Challenger, Gray & Christmas planned to hold parties offsite, and popular spots are hotel and banquet spaces. By pursuing the field of hospitality management, you could work in areas such as banquet or party planning, food service management, and hospitality sales and marketing.

Cosmetologists and make-up artists: Have you ever gotten your hair, makeup or nails done right before the big holiday party? The professionals who work in spas and salons help make people feel beautiful before special events. Attending cosmetology school and make-up artist programs could place you behind-the-scenes role, allowing you to help folks look their best when arriving at the party.

Entertainment: Everything from ensembles playing festive music to a cool DJ set the tone for an annual event. The basis for being involved in the entertainment industry is raw talent, but you can add to that by choosing schools and programs in the arts, where you’ll learn more about the visual and performing arts as well as how to turn your passion into a business.

So savor that eggnog as you consider potential new careers that could make you part of the party scene all year long.

This is second in CollegeSurfing.com Insider’s series, From Laid Off to Learning. To read more inspiring stories, check back here each Monday or subscribe now.

In a time when getting laid off is standard and job competition is stiff, what’s a person to do? You can look for a job and hope to get one, but that doesn’t always work out to your advantage. We have all heard stories of those who become dejected and unable to find their next move. Many end up feeling trapped.

Frank Vidal chose a different feeling for himself. After being laid off from a management job he had for 13 years, Vidal decided to make education a priority, and turn what could have become feelings of hopelessness into hopefulness. “I had lost my job at the end of July 2008 and and while searching for something new, noticed that every job I was interested in required a degree,” says Vidal. He had earned his GED in 1988 after dropping out of school a year earlier and never pursued higher education. “Going back was something I had wanted to do for a long time, but I always found an excuse not to.”

With time on his hands and ambition driving him, Vidal enrolled in SUNY Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning. He is currently taking two classes while working a new job and managing a home life with his wife, two young daughters, and dog. Vidal, whose ultimate goals include working his way to the top in his field, expects to complete the 100 percent online program within five years.

Vidal feels that the time was right for his new journey. “The fact that I’m now an adult and care more about my family than I do myself is what motivates me,” he says. In that regard, Vidal explains, he is thankful for the lay off, since it ignited a passion for advancement and learning he had previously overlooked.

For those who have experienced a layoff, it’s important to keep your head high and go after what you want, says Vidal. “You will either get a negative response or no response for 95 percent of the jobs you apply to. There are going to be days that you don’t want to get out of bed and you think things will never get better, but they do if you keep working at trying to find a job.”

Before he landed his new job, school was what ultimately gave him a sense of purpose. “The state of the economy has changed the way most businesses operate and you have to make yourself more appealing to these companies,” he says. “It also gives you a mental break from the stress of being unemployed.”

Juggling academics with a full-time job and family is, of course, a challenge, says Vidal. But despite the sacrifices and hard work, he knows his path will be a lucrative one. Traditionally, job opportunities have been better for individuals who have at least a bachelor’s degree, and according to statistics, many salary increases are attributed to education level. “I hope to leverage my experience and degree to improve my position at my job.

“The best part of this whole thing is the satisfaction of knowing that I’m working toward getting my degree and that great things are ahead for my family and I.”

~Amanda Fornecker

DO IT NOW: Read more of CollegeSurfing.com Insider’s series, From Laid Off to Learning.

For years, nurses, doctors, lawyers, police officers and teachers have been among the folks constantly portrayed on TV. Community college students are getting some attention with NBC’s new show, “Community,” which is great timing as enrollment has spiked at community colleges.

With NBC’s “Community,” starring comedians Joel McHale and Chevy Chase, you won’t find a complete true picture of life at community colleges (and you shouldn’t expect it with a sitcom), but it’s interesting to see community colleges getting their spotlight as so many students of all ages are considering signing up for courses at the schools.

Here are three things early episodes of the new show have shown about attending a community college.

1) You’ll find a diverse student body.

Sure, they’ve been described as misfits on “Community,” but the students on the show poke holes in the perception that only a couple types of students – drifters and first-generation students – attend community college. Kay M. McClenney, director of the Center for Community College Student Engagement, recently wrote in the New York Times that community college students include displaced workers pursuing new careers and skills, students born outside of the U.S., older adults seeking their first college degree, and honors students whose families can’t afford university tuition for all four years. The lineup of characters on “Community” attempts to mirror those points, with Chase playing the older, non-traditional student, joined by a 28-year-old female college dropout, a middle-aged divorcée, the former high school football star, the smart but high-strung perfectionist, and a half-Palestinian pop culture junkie.

2) There’s no easy way out (of a class).

In the pilot, McHale’s character, a disbarred attorney who is back at school to earn a degree, tries to bribe a school official he represented in a court case to get test answers. His plot is foiled, and from there, the study group of “Community” characters is created, frequently gathering the library’s study room and forging relationships that are the focus of the series.

3) Acceptance can be an issue.

Part of the motto touted by the show’s fictional Greendale Community College, which has a fake Web site too, is “You’re already accepted.” But some colleges are seeing so many applicants that they’re revising their open-door policies. So as you hear some of the characters make negative comments that seems like they feel inferior to those at universities, realize that it’s getting tougher to get in, and it will be interesting to see if Greendale also adapts to the changes real schools are facing today.

~Lori Johnston