Just Checking

[Cynic]

What do you all do during the last few days before the exams? Have a lot of rest? Study like crazy? Memorize as much formulas as you can?

I feel rather burn out. I want to rest but don't know if this is a good idea. I don't want to have the "if-only-I-have-studied-a-little-more..." feeling after the exam. On the other hand, I also don't want to go the exam room with a headache...

[C8 Guy]

I study like crazy. But also make sure I get a good nighgt's sleep too.

[Franchise]

Study like hell during waking hours, but definitely make sure you sleep. It'll all be over in a few days.

[Buffy]

try to get some sunshine in the last few days...it definitely perks up the mood, and makes you realize that there is an actual world out there.

usually, the day before, I'll take my note cards to a local park, find a picnic table, and go thru them. the fresh air is nice. I stop studying about 6ish, relax, watch some tv, get to bed by 10. Next morning, get to the exam site early, with coffee and a bagel, and do my last minute flip thru cards &/or notes for those extra special formulas I can never remember.

Good luck! You'll make it!

And to remind you of all that's good in the world:

[Cynic]

Wow, Buffy, I feel better already!

[Me]

Studies have shown that getting a good night's sleep two nights before the exam is more important than the night before. I usually try to get good sleep both nights, though it's harder (cuz I'm stressed) the night before.

[Trout]

I feel a sharp brain is more important than studying for a few more hours in the last two days. I never study the night before exam and usually do my favarite sports the day before. But in these days, i avoid to use my brain for some where else, like watching movie, reading books, etc.

It worked for me very well, so far, I past all my first 3 exams one time.

[Traci]

I just saw a study about massage therapy.

It was done on preschool-age kids. They separated them into 2 groups, one group received 15-20 minutes of massage therapy, the other group was read to for 15-20 minutes. Then they tested them on basic preschool skills stuff.

The massaged kids did better - those kids who were noted previously as being more stressed did significantly better.

I'm convinced!

I think I'll schedule a full-body massage for the night before the exam!

Might help - Can't hurt!

I've also heard that high-protein meals before exams help to keep the brain sharper. So I always have 3 eggs for breakfast before a morning exam. This time I'll have something high-protein for lunch, since my exam is at 1:00. I think this has more to do with the fact that protein takes longer to digest - so you are not distracted by getting hungry in the middle of the exam. Whatever - pass the eggs!

[Cynic]

I'm convinced, too, Traci. I'm going to for a massage before the exam. I've never had a professional massage, are there any tips I need to know?

[Traci]

I have only gone for a massage a handful of times.

Either I've been very lucky, and always had good masseuses - or I'm very easy to please. ;-)

I have always had women give me a massage - I don't think I'd be comfortable with a man - you're covered by a sheet, but naked underneath, and they hit every inch of you short of breasts and pubic area. So that's something to think about.

Also, I would imagine that a man would prefer the stronger hands of another man for a deep tissue massage.

Now - where's her number ...?

[Dr T Non-Fan]

An image has been created, and cannot be erased...

[Traci]

You can just trade it for that Buffy image up above.

:roll:

[Ling]

Also, I would imagine that a man would prefer the stronger hands of another man for a deep tissue massage.


Most men I know would not go to a male massage therapist. They said they feel weird. I was in a spa once where you have a choice of a man or a woman therapist, and there was this guy waiting for his turn. When a male therapist came to get him, he had a fit. He said, " I asked for a woman!!!!". Added tension there.

I go every other week. I go to a woman but have been to a male therapist. I prefer a woman 'cause the guy made me even more tense just because he's a guy even though he was very professional. A woman can be very strong, too.

[Lucy]

I'd be more comfortable with a woman. My husband, who doesn't like being distracted by pretty women, says he'd also be more comfortable with a woman.

I wonder if it's because men are usually the sexual aggressors that most everyone feels more comfortable with a woman in that sort of clinical/intimate situation?

Although I've never minded male doctors for anything other than gyn stuff and breast exams. (I go to a woman for one-stop shopping.)

[Lucy]

And good luck to all of you! (Even those who just finished CAS 5. There's still some luck involved.)

[Traci]

Yes - I left out the homophobic factor - you're probably right that most men would prefer a woman masseuse.

:roll:

[The Drunken Actuary]

Yes - I left out the homophobic factor -
:roll:

Anyway, I'm convinced that the sleep thing is overrated, at least for me. Though I appear to be the only dissenting voice. I can go on a few hours sleep the night before the exam, get some extra studying, formula memorizing etc in, and then run on adrenalin for the exam istelf. Of course, I haven't passed an exam since 1995, so perhaps I will take you successful exam takers advice and get more sleep this time. OK, thanks, I just changed my mind about the sleep thing. Hope it works this time.

[Traci]

I don't trust my brain on adrenalin.

I think there's pretty much a medical consensus that the brain functions better with adequate sleep - and that lack of sleep can really mess you up.

I have noticed in my studying - sometimes when I'm staying up late working problems - I make more stupid mistakes. I get frustrated - my confidence goes down. I go to bed. Next morning, I look at the same material - and it all flows together.

Sleep is NOT overrated - don't fool yourself!

[Franchise]

I'm a big believer in getting a good night's sleep the night before the test. I'm not getting a great one tonight, but I'll definitely be getting a good one tomorrow.

Good luck all!

[Maphisto's Sidekick]

Part of my night before the exam ritual involves alcohol. I don't normally drink, but a little bit of anesthesia to help me get to sleep...or at least to not care about being so danged unprepared... does wonders. :D

[mr.c]

OK, so this is after the fact (Course 6), but I've come to realize that for this, my first essay exam, my brain hasn't really shut done for about the last 6 weeks. So a good night's sleep is definitely relative. I believe in that "two nights before" thing, too, but that night I was up at 2:30 AM working on quieting down my sump pump. Whoo hoo! I normally am a total zombie without eight hours of sleep, but with Course 6 studying and a new baby, I must be used to zombie-hood...

Oh yeah, I think Bush got elected the night before my Exam 2 sitting, and I stayed up past one thinking that the election would actually be decided that night! I managed to make it through that one, though.

[Kitten]

Traci, did you go for the massage? :)
I found I had too many things going on in the 2 months before my exam and made a point of booking massages every two weeks so that I would be relaxed enough so that I could study! Had to cancel a few, but I did found that the ones I went to helped me to sit still for longer periods. :roll:

[SMOKIN' ACTUARY]

My wife scheduled a massage for me the evening before the exam. I didn't have a choice in the matter. :-)

I have positive feelings about the exam I sat for. So if I passed I would officially endorse a massage before the exam.

[Traci]

My exam is tomorrow. And I could not get one scheduled for tonight :-(

Have to recruit the hubby :-)

[SMOKIN' ACTUARY]

He would be shirking his husbandly duties if he didn't oblige.


Good luck on the exam.

[Indep]

Anyway, I'm convinced that the sleep thing is overrated, at least for me. Though I appear to be the only dissenting voice. ...

I'm with the rest of the gang. Get the last 6 hours of studying in ahead of time. What's 6 hours in the course of exam prep, anyway? Not that much. So, plan ahead enough to let yourself get some sleep. All-nighters are for the your college kids who haven't cracked a book yet.