To Each His Own Reality

So, I am in the library right now working on a 15 page research paper that is due in my Wednesday afternoon class for 50% of the grade. The current time is 12:30 a.m. About 10 minutes ago the library security guard, an older gentleman, came up to check my student I.D. (as non-students are not allowed in the library during midnight hours) and proceeded to chat with me. Here's the convo:

Guard: "You writing a paper?"
Me: "Yeah." (smiling)
Guard: "When's it due?"
Me: "Wednesday."
Guard: (with a look of disbelief on his face) "You must be a junior or senior or something."
Me: "Grad school."
Guard: "No wonder you are so far ahead."

Interesting. After he walked away, I sat here and thought about our convo for a little while. Here I have been stressing out today because I have non-chalantly put this paper off until the last few days before it is due. I have known about this paper ever since the beginning of the semester back in January. Most people in my class, that I have talked to, started researching for this paper weeks ago. Me? I started researching for it this past Saturday (well, started. I didn't really get anything done). Despite all this, I must still appear to be quite studious, when referencing the convo I just had with a total stranger.

So, if starting a big paper a few weeks before it is due is a good thing, yet starting a big paper a few days before it is due is also a good thing, then what exactly is "studious"? Wouldn't I still be just as "studious" if I started it the night before it was due, so long as I completed it? I suppose I might not learn as much due to being rushed. I don't know. I'm sleepy. Whatever the case, I feel better now about having put the paper off until now. I'm on top of my game -- in another's eyes.