Welcome to the internet, with speech patterns from all over.
It all depends on where you live. Even different parts of the USA use "next" differently. "This" has similar differences.
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People misusing language is a problem, but it shouldn't be tolerated.
This = now, current, in the present, the imminent one
next = in the future, ie following "this"
last = prior, previous, in the past
There's no room for debate on this one. Past, present, or future. Pick one.
>> off topic rant off <<