When I assign papers, I do not assign them merely as busy work or simply as something that I can have on which to base a grade. They are assigned because, done well, they will assist you in learning how to present a coherent thesis in writing, acquire basic writing skills, develop careful reasoning and learn to apply appropriate data analysis. When you postpone working on the paper or turn in a substandard piece of research, you will not only receive a poor grade, but, more importantly, you will have wasted an opportunity to acquire skills that will be essential to whatever future career plans you may have. Good writing is essential to success in the kind of careers you will likely want to pursue.
If you plan to go on to graduate school, regardless of what field you choose, you will be expected to write many papers, most of which will be 30-40 pages in length. You will be expected to write papers that are clearly written, that have a clear thesis and that demonstrate careful and considerable research. Those who have learned to write such papers as a part of their undergraduate education will be in a more competitive position to be accepted to graduate school and to perform well in graduate school once you are there. Simply having what you might think is a decent grade point average isn't enough.