…Until I’m back in class. I feel refreshed and motivated and I have a new major. (Not that much different than the old one really.)
My postmortem from last semester:
- 6 classes & a lab is too much with 2 kids, a wife, a part time job during nights, and a performing band.
- I HATE ONLINE classes. I need real world discussion and interaction other than the virtual kind.
- Sleep deprivation is deadly and sneaks up on you. Knowing that, I’m more prepared to deal with it. The problem with working from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. 2-3 days in a row is trying to shift your body back to sleep at night and function in daylight. I would study for 4 hours with bloodshot eyes and the following day not recall anything I read or even what I did with my wallet & keys!
- Doing homework at the house is great for comfort, but not productive when you have small children in need of food, activity and attention. I also study better in an environment with some noise and activity. Wierd, I know, but when i’m someplace quiet like the library, I get this intense sense of isolation and disconnect and I don’t focus. I end up with instant messenger open on my laptop and itunes feeding my ears. I do much better someplace where there is ambient noise and conversation going on. It’s my version of white noise I guess.
So looking back on the mess that was last semester, some conversations with a co-worker who is a mathematics major who loves the smell of tests early in the morning, and my wife, a college graduate who has had a class in nearly everything, I have a strategy and a goal for an A in all of my classes this semester.
- After completing required homework, 1 hour (timed) of solving math problems everyday (test prep). Flag the problematic ones for test prep.
- At work, don’t study past 12:30 a.m.
- OTC sleep aids for Monday nights if needed.
- Post test dates somewhere visible and treat them like mountain bike races.
- Ride my mountain bike. I’ve been off my game too long.
- Study groups! Got me a B in physics. I missed an A my a point or 2.
- Test anxiety. “Brain Dump” method, remember my intense competetiveness…use the force.
- Write out the steps and solutions for solving the pesky math problems and memorize those rather than focusing on the “how to” part.
- Remember the Piaget method that got me through Physics.
- Be social. All work and no play makes me a grumpy boy.
I published this to help motivate me and a record to come back to.
1 Comment
August 3, 2008 at 3:39 am
I have one you should add (or edit) on your list: Not only post your test schedule, but have it where your family can see it too.
And honey, the English major in me can’t help it…. It’s postmortem. I know… I’m chronic. We’re both going to need your list this school year. I want to throw up when I think of how much is riding on my doing well in school for the next two years.
We can do it!!!
Love me