Cognitive Dissonance Theory

With this theory, I thought of how I have been as a college student.
I tried to think of times that I can remember having cognitive dissonance.
Then it hit me. How many times have I said, "I am going to study and do really well for this exam". Then the time comes to study and I blow it off until the last hour I have left. Why?
I said I would study, and instead I find other things to do. This is an obvious inconsistancy between my attitude towards studying and my behavior.

In the beginning of my reasoning, I know I like to reassure myself I'm doing the right thing. I'll sit and say, well, I have been reading, I know the material, a few hours is all I'll need. Then when it comes down to that last hour, my attitude suddenly changes. This is due to the pressure of knowing that I don't have any other time to study. Now I am forced to do it. All the sudden, the issue of studying becomes more important. Postdecision dissonance is now in play. I need to reassure myself that I will be able to study in this last hour.

Then it comes to test time, and I don't do as well as I had hoped. I realize why and tell myself I need to study harder the next time. Sometimes, it becomes a vicious cycle of cognitive dissonance. Other times, I get it through my head and hit the books hard. So this theory is very true, and also critiqued well by knowing that we can't always predict attitude and behavior.