How do I not go crazy under exam pressure?
May 9, 2010 11:25 AM Subscribe
I've had to miss two weeks of university lectures due to health reasons and now have a lot of catching up to do before my exams. How do I not go crazy?
I've just spent a couple of weeks in a pain/codeine induced stupor and am only now recovering after having the offending tooth removed. I'm pretty sure I know what I need to do academically to catch up, but it seems like an overwhelming amount (although practically I think it can be done). I have a history of underperforming in exams and going slightly mad (i.e. depressive bouts) under prolonged stress.
I have the geekiest holiday in the world in the Wye Valley booked for the day after my exams end to look forward to. I have a revision schedule but I sometimes find those problematic if I fall behind the timetable and feel I have to catch up.
What can I do to make sure I stay focused and optimistic for the next five weeks?
I've just spent a couple of weeks in a pain/codeine induced stupor and am only now recovering after having the offending tooth removed. I'm pretty sure I know what I need to do academically to catch up, but it seems like an overwhelming amount (although practically I think it can be done). I have a history of underperforming in exams and going slightly mad (i.e. depressive bouts) under prolonged stress.
I have the geekiest holiday in the world in the Wye Valley booked for the day after my exams end to look forward to. I have a revision schedule but I sometimes find those problematic if I fall behind the timetable and feel I have to catch up.
What can I do to make sure I stay focused and optimistic for the next five weeks?
My junior year in college, I was out for 2 or 3 weeks with mono. When I returned, I was in an already weakened state, so I negotiated with my professors for some of my classes to take "incompletes". They gave me time over the some period of time into the next semester to get caught up, take the exams and turn in the class projects.
It made a bad situation better. You could check with your university to see if they allow this for students who have been ill for extended periods of time.
posted by rw at 1:03 PM on May 9, 2010
It made a bad situation better. You could check with your university to see if they allow this for students who have been ill for extended periods of time.
posted by rw at 1:03 PM on May 9, 2010
Yes, definitely talk to your professors about possible extensions or extra help. Couldn't hurt to ask, right?
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 2:51 PM on May 9, 2010
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 2:51 PM on May 9, 2010
Best answer: Definitely let your professors know your situation, if they don't already.
Prioritize. Figure out which classes have the most riding on the final exam, and which ones you're most behind on, and give those more time. That way if you DON'T have time to cram everything in, you're still not failing any classes.
Focus on a different subject every day and spend a block of time on just that subject on that day. Or set a daily schedule where you spend a certain part of your day on each of your classes. And stick to your schedule. Reward yourself with breaks / evenings off.
If you don't stick to your schedule, forgive yourself. Tomorrow is a new day.
posted by ista at 6:49 PM on May 9, 2010
Prioritize. Figure out which classes have the most riding on the final exam, and which ones you're most behind on, and give those more time. That way if you DON'T have time to cram everything in, you're still not failing any classes.
Focus on a different subject every day and spend a block of time on just that subject on that day. Or set a daily schedule where you spend a certain part of your day on each of your classes. And stick to your schedule. Reward yourself with breaks / evenings off.
If you don't stick to your schedule, forgive yourself. Tomorrow is a new day.
posted by ista at 6:49 PM on May 9, 2010
Deferring one or more of your exams is something you should investigate. I deferred two of my exams last semester due to health issues, and I am very glad I did. It meant I had to study over Christmas break, which sucked, but I'm sure my grades were significantly better than they would have been otherwise, and I didn't go completely out of my mind from stress.
At my school, the exam deferral process is officially handled by the Dean of Students' office: there was a form I had to get my professors to sign, and my reasons for deferral were reviewed by the Dean (this wasn't a big deal; my statement was about three sentences long, and turnaround time was less than a day). If there are bureaucratic hassles like that involved, you probably should start taking care of them now; it's a busy time of year for college administrations.
No matter what, talk to your professors about this; they have a vested interest in seeing you succeed in their course, and will probably be quite sympathetic.
posted by Commander Rachek at 9:43 PM on May 9, 2010
At my school, the exam deferral process is officially handled by the Dean of Students' office: there was a form I had to get my professors to sign, and my reasons for deferral were reviewed by the Dean (this wasn't a big deal; my statement was about three sentences long, and turnaround time was less than a day). If there are bureaucratic hassles like that involved, you probably should start taking care of them now; it's a busy time of year for college administrations.
No matter what, talk to your professors about this; they have a vested interest in seeing you succeed in their course, and will probably be quite sympathetic.
posted by Commander Rachek at 9:43 PM on May 9, 2010
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and, if your exam schedule allows for it, give yourself a day off here or there. or make a day when you study for 2-3 hours in the morning, and the rest of the day is entirely study-free. if you have day-long breaks (if possible), you will not be as wound up at the end of 5 weeks.
good luck!
posted by gursky at 11:29 AM on May 9, 2010