Up@dawn 2.0

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

How to prepare for an exam

Use the Study Guide. Don't just memorize stuff. Read, think, re-read, reflect, maybe write a few notes (because writing wires the brain's memory circuits), then relax and get some sleep. Sometimes life is a ballgame, sometimes it's an examination, but you're always better at it when rested and ready.

Here's how to study, and how (when the time comes) not to:


If you want really to do your best in an examination, fling away the book the day before, say to yourself, “I won’t waste another minute on this miserable thing, and I don’t care an iota whether I succeed or not.” Say this sincerely, and feel it; and go out and play, or go to bed and sleep, and I am sure the results next day will encourage you to use the method permanently. William James, “Gospel of Relaxation"

If you’ve been up all night cramming, in other words, good luck. You’ll need it. But if you’ve been diligent, have steeped yourself in the subject all semester long, and either went out to play or to an early bed the night before, your luck will be the residue of design. You’ll do fine. Relax.

But don’t try too hard to relax.
It is needless to say that that is not the way to do it. The way to do it, paradoxical as it may seem, is genuinely not to care whether you are doing it or not.


Care later. Wednesday/Thursday just show up and do your best. 

And if you didn't this time, next time contribute to the Study Guide and really read the books. Really. And then get some sleep.

HTStudy.com HTStudy.orgHTReadABook

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