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MEGA - Studying, Exams, Stress, and coping with them

Elgr said:
It sounds like your fear of succeeding is related to this. You set the bar a little higher, and it's a shittier (a word) fall if you fail the next time. And it's true. Failing in high school really wasn't a big deal to me, it was kind of normal for me to fail at least a class each term towards the end. Then, at college, I did alright my first term, which made my girlfriend happy enough to cry. Though I told her it was sweet of her, I was actually a bit offended in a way. If my doing well represents my character, then all my previous failings do too, rather than it just being "a bullshit class" for example.
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exactly how i feel.
 
Well, there's not much to say then except put the ego aside and give it your best effort. Maybe it's helpful that I had quite a bit of practice with the ego losing, as have many here. I'd certainly say that I wouldn't be doing as well as I have recently if I'd never tripped. But I can also say that there's no chance I would if I were still tripping regularly. Middle path, eh?
 
I'm too mashed to read through the thread I'm afraid, but I will add my philosophical outlook anyway, please don't be offended.

Only go to university if you have an honest interest in the subject, otherwise you just wont be driven to work and will get a poor mark. I'm struggling doing a subject that I chose purely because of the earning factor if I got a good degree (if I got a first I could probably step straight in to a £30 000 per annum job, that's $60 000), and that I have a limited interested in. However, I have recently had an idea that strongly interests me and (if miricals happen) might make an impact on our world. Please post on my thread in this forum!
 
Only go to university if you have an honest interest in the subject, otherwise you just wont be driven to work and will get a poor mark.
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Amen!

And just because you find something interesting outside of college doesn't mean studying it will be any fun.. . So it can be hard to pick something you'll want to stick with

I've been at university for 4 years and I'm only in 2nd year at the moment (switched courses 3 times, failed lots of stuff cos it was way boring. . not doing great this semester either)
 
in a way, actually succeeding is more scary to me than failing at it. because then i have to feel something different, success. i havent felt that much in a long time. im not sure id know what to do with it. its almost like id be embarrassed to pass the class and do well.
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Birthday I know exactly how this feels...it's called "imposter syndrome" - the feeling that you somehow "faked" your own success. It takes a long time to get over it. Just work hard and you'll eventually become confident.

If I do really well on an exam, it gives me an incredible boost in confidence...especially on super difficult exams. There is a lot of satisfaction to be found in working hard throughout the term and finally getting "that A" you wanted. Of course, it helps if you *have* to get A's to do what you want!

As for college being intimidating - yes, I've felt that before. Especially right after high school, but I suppose it could be even worse for someone returning to school. I would go to your local college and pick up a course catalogue. Start looking for things that interest you, with an eye on what you want to do for a career. Then, even if you don't really want to, walk into the admissions office and fill out an application. Once you've done it, you'll get used to the idea of college and you'll start looking forward to your first classes!
 
protovack said:
Birthday I know exactly how this feels...it's called "imposter syndrome" - the feeling that you somehow "faked" your own success. It takes a long time to get over it. Just work hard and you'll eventually become confident.

If I do really well on an exam, it gives me an incredible boost in confidence...especially on super difficult exams. There is a lot of satisfaction to be found in working hard throughout the term and finally getting "that A" you wanted. Of course, it helps if you *have* to get A's to do what you want!

As for college being intimidating - yes, I've felt that before. Especially right after high school, but I suppose it could be even worse for someone returning to school. I would go to your local college and pick up a course catalogue. Start looking for things that interest you, with an eye on what you want to do for a career. Then, even if you don't really want to, walk into the admissions office and fill out an application. Once you've done it, you'll get used to the idea of college and you'll start looking forward to your first classes!
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i hear what you are saying, and i really do appreciate it. no offense or anything, im not doubting that you are being honest with your words, but i just have a hard time accepting / believing them for myself. i just cant psych myself up for something like college that i really know deep down that i just cant do. its just not in me or for me. i cant do it.
 
birthdaycake said:
i hear what you are saying, and i really do appreciate it. no offense or anything, im not doubting that you are being honest with your words, but i just have a hard time accepting / believing them for myself. i just cant psych myself up for something like college that i really know deep down that i just cant do. its just not in me or for me. i cant do it.
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You are right. You will not be able to accomplish shit if you actually believe that you can not do it. If you don't have confidence in yourself, then you shouldn't be in college. I'm not trying to be a asshole here and make you feel bad, but it's just the truth. You either want to go pursue further education or you don't and from the way you are talking, you just don't want to do it.

I know this because I was you just last year. Thought, "Oh, I just can't do it" and I kept telling myself that out of laziness because I did not want to put forward any effort. Where am I at now? Out of college, living in a not-so-wealthy lifestyle wishing I would of tried to get that degree and actually tried to do something.

The fact is, you CAN do it! Now, whether you are going to believe me or not is up to you. I know that there are MANY people out there who are working their ass off (as in "jobs", paying financially) to the point of exhaustion just so they can go to college. These people are practically giving up food in their stomachs and living a very dificult lifestyle just so they can have the opportunity to go to college. And when I read a thread is describing someone who does not have the motivation to go through with college, then you just need to not try and not even worry about it. Who knows, maybe in a few years you will realize that you could do it and you will actually pursue it.

And I know I sound extremely hateful here and what I said here will make quite a few people here hate me, but college is something that I think too many people take for granted, especially myself when I was attending. Anyone can do it, they just have to be able to actually want to. It's not fun. It takes a lot of work and studying. Tutors. Maybe giving away some time with your friends so you can actually study. But anyone that graduated from high school can do it. You just need the effort, which is exactly what you're lacking.

Just remember, I was once you. "I'm just not college material. I just don't think that I will be able to make it." And you can either just be stupid and feel sorry for yourself because "you can't make it" or you can actually get your goals straight and reach them! Find your weak points, rather it be in math or whatnot, and WORK at them. Yes, I said it, actually put EFFORT into it.

I know you can do it. I am 100% positive that you can get a degree in whatever you want. But others can not sit here and motivate you to do it, you have to be able to motivate yourself. You either do it or don't it, and you have complete control of both of those options. I wish you the best and hope that you might be able to find it in yourself that you can do it before you just throw away something that will help you in the future.
 
Very true. But, at this point it doesn't really matter. If it really is that comfortable to stick with the "I can't do it. Period." path, then nothing anyone says here is going to help or matter.

It could be a phase that you'll climb out of one day, though perhaps that day will be too far in the future for you to take advantage of any real opportunities, etc.

I wish you the best, but I can't help but feel that my words are kind of null at the moment. I realize that you appreciate the feedback, and I appreciate that you appreciate it. Still, you don't seem to be near a stage where you're going to find motivation/inspiration from any exterior source.
 
I just treat myself well the day before, don't study at all.

Spend the day relaxing, go out to eat, have a good nights rest.

Wake up the next day, have a nice breakfast and do your best... never stress or worry about the outcome... all you can do is your best.
 
for more general tips:

REM sleep functions to consolidate long-term memory. You cannot afford to skip out on this before a test.

Studying should involve some sort of elaboration of concepts and terms. You should connect them to each other and more familiar concepts. Studies have shown this to be highly effective in comparison to mere repetition.

Don't put yourself in a position where you are trying to juggle a bunch of back reading while studying (obvious).

ebola
 
i wear my lucky t-shirt.

front:

The English System of Measurement Sucks.

Go. Metric. Now.

back:

Stick your foot up your fucking ass

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

atom and his package and science, how i love thee...
 
Unless the professor has introduced new material or something to that effect, I don't do any studying in the given subject the day before a test. Taking a rest day seems to re-energize my mind and allow the material I have been studying to sink in to a greater degree than if I were to cram.
 
I do not believe in cramming - or revision, for that matter. How I will do on a test depends entirely on my work throughout the course, rather than ust before the test.

Every time I had a big test, I would prepare for it by playing Videogames all day. Yes, I am 100% serious.
 
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