Monday, December 15, 2003
Finals Update
Nix the hope for getting two A's. I did the math again, and there's no way I can get an A in Neuro. If I get perfect scores on both of these last exams, I'd still be short a few points. Poop. At the rate I'm going, I should be thankful if I get straight B's, because it sounds like the Histo exam is going to be pretty tough. . .there's so much information.
But this stuff isn't that hard. I don't understand. I was a much better student when I was taking tougher classes--Immunology and human physiology in undergrad were harder (next to impossible) than the classes I have now, and I got A's on
all those exams. I was also better at keeping track of my non-academic reponsibilities--yesterday I forgot that I was supposed to check on Pyxis (who, by the way, is doing well after her surgery)--I never wrote it down in my planner. I feel like kicking myslef.
What's my problem? After talking with Linea just now I learned that she was a better student when she was busier. I think I was more motivated to study when the classes were a bit more challenging and I was working part-time. My theory: When you have more to do, the days seem longer, so in essence, you feel like you have more time in the day to do stuff.
On a similar note, you know what's
really pathetic? I was looking through the binders my big sib gave me and leafed through some old exams from 1998 and earlier--and the exams were at least twice as hard as they've been this year. Even
more pathetic: I'd probably be doing better if we had those kinds of exams now. I don't know what it is--I think when professors write tough exams that require written answers, I feel more challenged, like I need to completely understand every detail--so that's what I do. Even If I never get the A, I learn more from the nit-picky professors.
I have two questions eating at me:
1) What's wrong with me?
2) Why do the exams we're given now seem "watered-down" next to the ones from the past?
Well, all I know is I need to stop whining and pick up my motivation. I think some of the classes next semester will be more detail-oriented, the professors more nit-picky. That may help put me in a more competetive mode. And maybe I should get a 10 hr/week job. . .
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
The First Final Stretch
Finals are just around the corner, so this week's lecture load is light. Just tons of review. I've been reviewing repro with a classmate and she's making dinner tonight (with garlic bread! Yum!) and I've been going through all my neuro notes and making up test questions for myself (it worked well last time).
Histo is a lot of information, but manageable, same goes for anatomy. The profs give us review questions and chapter objectives, which really help. My goal is two B's and two A's this semester, or please please please at least one A.
So what am I going to do to prepare for the final stretch?
Anatomy:
- Review the head and all the charts regarding foramen, muscles, etc.
- Review the chapter objectives at the start of each lecture and make sure I can 'splain them thoroughly
Neuro:
- Write mock exam questions for each paragraph of each chapter and answer them
- Review charts an drawing of pathways (especially cerebellar)
- Review case studies
Histo:
- Review the learning objected listed for each chapter
- Look over images in the powerpoint slides
- Review the embryo images online and in the hard-copy "embryo atlas"
Repro:
- Review lecture notes/power point slides
- Review chart of sex-related hormones
- Write mock exam questions for each lecture and answer them
Now that it's in writing, I
have to do it. And just
doing it is half the battle. . .
Oh crap. . .I just remembered that the claymation version of "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is on tonight. I'm gonna miss it!
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Nice Open Bar!
Coming back from break, I thought the week would be pretty blah and uneventful until a little elf visited our classroom reminding us to buy tickets for the vet school holiday dance.
Lindsay and Matt are members of the Holiday Dance Committee and were advertising the dance all week. Matt's arrow says "Open Bar."
Matt, your parents must be so proud!
After the announcement, Dr. JoAnn Eurell asked how much it would cost to dance with the elf. The answer is $1.00, $2. 00 for a lap dance. . .
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Click for some sickeningly-cute
dog portraits.
Lost in Translation
Check out
engrish.com. What a hoot! I found out about it years ago from
Wiggo.
What is a gallup poll, anyway?
Well, this
gallup poll says that veterinarians rank up there with nurses in the public's opinion of ethical, honest professionals.
