#fertig für die Uni Uni preparation

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Time has arrived – we are preparing for our finals. A exam which will decide if you have either wasted 6 month of hopefully hard work or if you can move on …. how are we going to master our anxieties?????

I have finished my first degree in business many, many years ago. I am working (25 years later) on my second degree- kids are growing up and it would be fun to have a second opportunity to make a difference out there. Learning habits – study habits have not changed I noticed but the way we learn today surely has. Lucky you!!!! I am in my second year – in Germany we study three years since most of the general studies are done in Highschool. Another exam; I am getting a little excited. Here are my inputs and recommendations on  how to use the last little bit of time we have left before the exam:

I don´t think we can master by leaning back during summer – I tried that once ….. did not really lean back …. My husband and I moved a family of 5 twice that year internationally. DONT TRY to pack too much into the weeks before, it is just not worth it. Plan well – everyone knows that right?! Martin Schuster, a psychologist and author of the book “Better learn habits” (in German “Besser lernen”) says, if you just realised what needs to get done, don´t think, just DO IT. Get your book and notes and get started.

We really need to get started with a study guide friends – even God had a plan before he sent down his helpers to create earth!!! 🙂 A plan is a must and so easy.  Make sure you know what the teachers wants you to focus on. Bullet points and maybe page numbers or URL names so you don`t wast time looking around when you get to it. Ask student who have written the test before – often exams stay the same to make it easy for the people correcting.

Take your planer and see in how many weeks you have left and how many chunks of time you have on those days. (Please don´t forget to schedule your GYM time as well – better to write it right in) Why??? It has been proven that your focus will be much stronger if you take care of your body too. Mind and body are connected. why do we need to exercise when we study hard. “Recent human and animal studies show that regular aerobic exercise has profound effects on the brain. A recent New York Times article, “How Exercise Could Lead To A Better Brain” , describes experiments performed on mice at the University of Illinois. Mice who ran regularly on a wheel had more neurons—brain cells—than those who did not.” (http://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/september-2012/5-reasons-college-students-should-make-time-for-exercise) I am sure you can find even better sources then the one above. 

Summaries what ever your need to know – time might be a little short – you have a few options my dear:

Asks someone who has done it already and use your friends work as study notes.

Write it up yourselves, the more effective way, since what ever you write will also stay with you ) According to

a recent study in a forthcoming issue of the journal Psychological Science, using pen and paper, not laptops, to take notes boosts memory and the ability to retain and understand concepts.)

Record your notes and listen to them everywhere you go. (We went on a family bike ride for over a week – I had recordings of my books and listened to chapters one at a time. I am really surprised how much has stayed with me!!!!

Here is a site with free programs and some feedback: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-handy-apps-for-recording-audio-notes/

If you can not memorise certain parts of the stuff you need to know – try making a personal connection. I am studying sociology, Bourdieu is one of the most important sociologist we will remember for a long time. He talks a lot about the HABITUS, the power of social change. He approaches power within the context of a comprehensive “theory of society” which like that of Faucault. Bourdieu said that a created HABITUS is created through a social process, rather than individual process leading to patterns that are enduring and transferrable from one context to another. Basically if you are born into a family who likes to live simple, education were limited due to financial reasons or tradition,  Bourdieu said that you will only under rare circumstances change who you are, you wont be able to change that since moving up a level in society will make you rather uncomfortable, noticing the unfamiliarly of it, further more, you need more money and connection to get the same education or live like the group above you or better the group who plays in a different field (he difference in different forms of “capital” in his theory) .. long story, very interesting and go and read  his books. .

 “MY personal links, I create to remember his theory and connect his thoughts to others of his kind completely, are the people around me and my own upbringing, I try to transfer it to my life and at times use names I have a relation to … like Uncle Gerd … or remember, Grandpa Kneip ….”. 

Study-help is important, index cards, posters, mind maps, recordings, Skype chats with other fellow students. ( I work with other students a lot via Skype to repeat material and discuss – very produktive!!!)

Structure is kind of essential believe me. I have children which like to interrupt. Finding blogs of study time will help you to fallow your list. Working alone in a library can be boring and demotivating, but a few hours alone time in the library will not hurt you. Take a break in between, to be honest, every hour at least, just for 10 minutes or so. Picture your brain like a muscle, they also need to rest  and stretched so often. Healthy behaviour: If you can not purchase lots of fruits and vegetable (typically for students) make sure to take subelements. Your body and your brain is very complex and need good mix of healthy nutrition –  not just pizza and chocolate.

A study has shown that a freshman, one in four students, gain 10 lbs or more in their first year of college. Ultimately, fast food and unhealthy snacks simply don´t provide you with the nutrition you need to perform well in school. A good diet can enhance your academic performance. Go for it!

I believe that your daily calorie intake should not be more than 2200 calories a day if you are between 19 and 30 years of age. (according to USDA). I don´t have that pleasure anymore … so, much less for me since I am much above 30 … and unfortunately my system has slowed down … nevertheless … I cheat by working hard at the GYM. Some sweets are good for the soul! By going to the GYM, I can avoid the the pounds I don´t need to have on my hips and clear my mind. (My mother was really obsessed with her weight for many  many years …. I inherited that part and get very sensitive about it. Still, you have to find your own comfort level, just make sure its healthy for you – since you are worth it :)!!!!

Get rest, more than 24 hours of sleep has the same weakening result than 1.0 level of alcohol in blood. Get your 7 – 8 hrs a night and built a routine. Best of luck. I will stop here and prepare for my own exam now. Writing is a wonderful task and I hope this blog might help you a little. Nothing magical and every has been said many times, but here just a slide reminder.

Another student trying to accomplish what has been accomplished many times 🙂

  DONT FORGET YOUR TREAT 🙂

    Exam Preparation HELP Time has arrived - we are preparing for our finals. A exam which will decide if you have either wasted 6 month of hopefully hard work or if you can move on ....

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