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. . .
