Quote:
Originally Posted by LifeFirst  I wish I could say the same.....I want to congratulate you on getting all As. But reading stuff like this really gets me depressed in a way. Because I am just the opposite. Maybe you can give me some advice?
I study pretty much 24/7, I don't really do anything else and I cannot get good grades for the love of me. I don't even know what it feels like to get good straight As...or even As and Bs. I have absolutely no clue. I'm always at the library until 12:00 in the evening, I go home and study more until 3 or 4(it's what I'm doing right now actually). And I get up the next morning around like 8 and pretty much forget 90% of what I just studied the day before. And I have to do the same thing all over again.
I don't think the word "depressed" can describe me right now. It's beyond that, I have pretty much lost it. I don't care much about anything else anymore. I rarely sleep, eat. By how much I study, I should be getting straight As...but I don't. I don't know how you can study so little and get such good grades. You must have an awesome. I have read Steve's articles, I do try to apply some of the things he says like timeboxing, but the thing is I don't allow myself to stop. When I read my textbook/notes and I can't understand it, I would spent the entire night trying to understand one equation or else it would drive me insane.
In the beginning towards the middle of the semester, I would get up early on weekdays and go exercise. And I would read something positive before I went to sleep....but I don't know what went wrong. I think it was this test that I did horrible on....after that it was never the same. It was just a slow spiral down towards hell. ANd this week is finals for me, so last 2 finals will determine if I pass or fail the class. The pressure is just KILLING me right now. I have never felt so helpless in my Life. And the worst part about that is, I have no one to study with....no one to go to help for. But I have to find a way to pass those classes...I don't know how I'm gonna do it. |
I spent several years as a professional academic tutor. I do have some articles that might interest you in the "study smarter" section of my blog, if you're interested. There's a link in my signature.
But let me first say this: My advice is to stay focused on what you want out of school, what you hope to obtain as a result of having been through school, not so much on your grades. School, like so much of life, is a growth opportunity. I graduated first in my class from a large university, but it was never about the grades and always about the growth.
Also, when you study, do it in blocks of 2 or 3 hours and then take a break. Heck, take a nap! Your brain burns lots of sugar when you study, which makes you feel fuzzy and will effect your ability to remember things if you overwork yourself. Sometimes, less is more. Focus on short, highly maximized study sessions.
Crackers and cheese is a great study snack too. It replenishes your glycogen reserves without making you crash.
If you are trying to pass a memorization-oriented class, check out my brute-force memory method:
How to Memorize Anything
I applaud you on your hard work!
