My Least Favourite Thing About University

University is great until I remember that grades are a thing.

Then again, either I did well and life goes on or I didn’t do well and life goes on.

Part of the reason why I want to graduate and get a job is because I don’t want to be graded anymore. I know grades are just grades. They don’t dictate my future. They aren’t a measure of my self-worth. But my ego has a mind of its own.

For my own sanity, I don’t obsessively check my grades. In first year, I focussed on doing work and the results worked themselves out.

I’ve done well before. There’s no reason why I can’t do well now.

To be completely honest, my GPA has dropped every year. It’s okay though. I’ve made peace with that.

In the past, I would check many of my grades all at once. That way, I wouldn’t get too hung up over one bad mark.

As long as I pass every class, I can graduate on time. That’s the main goal.

I keep getting emails about updated grades on my final essays and exams. A part of me wants to look at my grades but another part doesn’t. I haven’t worked up the courage to check any of them yet.

Ink Here, Ink There, Ink Everywhere

I’ve gotten ink on just about everything. The typical items like paper and cards. And the not so typical like skin and nails.

If I had a dog or a cat, I’m sure they’d be covered in pen marks. I know this to be a fact. It isn’t even a question worth debating.

So if you ever live in the same house as me, stay away. Stay far far away.

For some reason, this ink in particular isn’t washing off. I think it hates me.

But I love pens and I love them even more with every day that passes.

I still don’t know how I manage to get ink everywhere. I suppose there are worse things that could have happened.

Blogging 101: Be a Good Neighbor

FYI, I’m going to use the Canadian spelling of neighbour from now onwards because I live in Canada, and not the United States. Besides “neighbour” just doesn’t look the same without the ‘u’.

In real life, I’d be a horrible neighbour.

So to compensate, I try to be a good neighbour here on WordPress.

Leave comments on at least four blogs that you’ve never commented on before.

Of course once I starting reading and commenting on other people’s blogs, I had a hard time stopping myself. So the task took longer than I initially intended.

Afterwards, I printed out an assignment for class. This was before I realized I royally screwed up the page numbering. So my essay is flawed. I’m flawed. My life is flawed. It all works out.

The old me would whine about how horrible my writing is. I’d say things like “I’m going to fail” or “I hate my essay” but the new me isn’t about that life. Also, people tell me I complain even though my marks are great. (Do I really do that?)

Thank you writing. Thank you reading. I owe my good grades to writers, authors, and bloggers. Shout-out to all of my wonderful neighbours.

Dilemmas

I need a vacation. Like right now. This very second.

Of course, I’d read, write, blog, and dance during my days off.

Just as long as I don’t have to go to school or deal with stupidity, I will be the happiest person alive.

Let a girl dream.

Continue reading if you want to hear my other dilemma.

So I’m supposed to be studying for a test, but blogging is a billion times more enjoyable.

Someone needs to make an app that automatically disables my WordPress account anytime I should be doing homework or reviewing for an exam. Maybe then my marks won’t have to suffer. By suffer, I mean 80’s or 90’s. Not 100. I never seem to get perfect on anything these days, which doesn’t bother me so much since I’m spending more time surrounded by words.

Writing. Exciting.

Blogging. Amazing.

Reading. Humbling.

School. Bad.

Tests. Worse.

Studying. Words cannot even begin to describe my feelings towards this.

Breaking News

Warning:

This post may make me seem like an arrogant, conceited individual. Read at your own risk.

Then again, arrogance is relative. And if you were awesome enough to follow my blog, you probably won’t unfollow me after this.

All things considered, I’m surprised I’m getting the marks I am getting.

Are other people just stupid?

I hope you don’t hate me for saying that. I simply do not understand how people are failing English. Or law for that matter.

My classes aren’t too difficult so maybe I shouldn’t be spewing this nonsense. But I am surprised I’m doing this well. I haven’t missed a day of blogging since the start of this school year. I honestly expected to have missed at least a couple. I shouldn’t jinx it so I’m knocking on wood right now.

On top of everything I have on my plate, I’m doing NaNo this year. Why I chose to participate in this craziness during my last year, the most important one by the way, is beyond me.

Maybe it really is true. Writers are more intelligent than non-writers. I am aware that grades are not always the best indication of one’s intelligence.

Still I like to believe that writers know more than people who don’t read or write. It makes sense after all.

This is a rational explanation. Tell me I’m not losing my mind.

How To Survive Exam Week: Stay In Tact And Alive

Voila! My foolproof guide for getting through the stressful exam period, which by the way, seems to plague us all at one point or another.

Although I have 3 consecutive exams coming up, I know that if I follow the below, I should be perfectly fine. Best of luck everyone!

1. Select a safe study space.

By safe, I mean distraction-free. Phones away, electronics off, parents gone, just you and a textbook. Think of it as a date with a binder, a textbook, and some notes.

2. Seek help.

If need be. Ask your teachers any questions you have, ask your peers for missing handouts, ask your parents to leave you alone.

3. Start studying.

How else are you supposed to pass your exams? And no, cramming is not synonymous with studying.

4. Skimp on the coffee, caffeine, cocaine, etc.

Cease all addictions until after exam period. Remember short term pain results in long term gain.

5. Stop to blow off steam.

Take a break, take a walk, take some time off between study sessions to avoid burnout.

6. Sorry you worked hard but possibly partied harder?

Prepare for the worse but expect the best. It’s not the end of the world. So embrace the inevitable? Albeit an F to you might be an A minus.

7. Celebrate!

Perhaps you should postpone step number seven until you see your report card.

One last thing before I go, I will do my best to continue posting on my social media accounts during this time but I can’t guarantee anything. Even so, I know I have the most understanding fans in the whole wide world. Thank you.

13 Effective Study Techniques I Use

With exams right around the corner (for most semester-ed high school students), I’m surprised I managed to dig up an old post (that was first created 5 months ago in August).

I realized this stuff is much more relevant now than during the summer. Even if this doesn’t pertain to you at the moment (full-year guys and gals), it might sometime in the future.

1. I divide my study time into small sections spaced over the course of a week (if possible).
2. I ensure I have all the necessary notes before beginning study sessions.
3. I balance my time as equally as possible with all my courses.
4. I use the resources I have to my advantage.
5. I determine what topics/concepts/ideas are most likely going to be covered on the exam or test.
6. I make full use of study questions, study guides, or previous exams/tests/quizzes if available.
7. I try to predict possible questions or problems I will be tested on and attempt to answer them accordingly.
8. I review and relearn, not redo.
9. I study actively by asking critical-thinking questions.
10. I choose not to obsess over organizational activities or trivial details.
11. I apportion my studying time, as well as my exam writing time, according to how much each component of the test is worth.
12. I memorize what I need to memorize, understand what I need to understand, and explain what I need to explain.
13. I stimulate the real thing before taking the exam or test.