Can you count on your coursemates during this time of the year? Certainly not. It may be a lovely sight outside your room, bright and alive all around you, but it happens to be the exam season. It will come in succession, and it's not a walk in a park for students of the English Department. Essay examinations can be harder than essay assignments. You won't throw in the towel, though.
The first thing to remember is the human brain functions like a rolled carpet. You can't let it unfold at will at times especially if you fell the pressure. You may not thrive in this kind of situation, but it's not a hopeless case. Yet. Keep a playful mindset, which enables you to think out of the box when you compose the draft of your essay. Look at your coursemates, who are pressured as well. It may be a consolation to you, but it doesn't mean that you have a greater chance of passing your tests. Don't think too hard when you must come up with an argument for your essay. You should be flexible in your approach, as you have a limited time.
How to Maximize Your Marks
Don't lose sleep. You need a good rest more than ever. It should keep you relaxed, even put you in a good mood. You won't notice any signs of distress, and if you ever do, then you'll likely to shrug it off. Furthermore, you'll less likely to forget something. This won't be possible if you don't hit the sack early, pass up invitations to parties, and disengage from social media. It may be a huge sacrifice, but think of the (long) summer season.
Prepare to write down on white papers. Look back at the books you have studied during the semester. One paper must be devoted to one particular book. Divide it into two columns, where the left is filled with the major themes (or the upside) while the right is written with your questions (or downside). You can also add your impressions on the major characters. This will be most helpful in Modern Literature, where you would devote hundreds of words on historical events that define those books.
Put your creativity into good use. This method enables you to use the visual mnemonic approach of learning to your advantage. You'll suffer from information overload sooner than you think, so think of terms that will help you recall a short list right away. You can also resort to coloring pens, as the visual type of learners won't get lost after a while. You might be THAT kind of student.
Take heed of the exam doctor's (good) advice. George Turnbull is the guardian angel of British students aspiring for a place in the university, of what would they do if miss the cut. It might seem different in your case, but it's not. Do your best, so you won't regret what could have been. If you're about to complain the tight schedule, then ask yourself if you prefer your parents talking to your tutor (or any member of the faculty) instead. You might cringe at the thought, so this should motivate you. Tertiary education is a costly endeavor, and how you perform during your few years in the university can determine how you do later in life. If you're really serious about going the distance, then don't take the coursework lightly.
Remember to breath. The spring season should be good enough to remind you that you're not heading into a gloomy summer. You must give your best effort, but it will be better if you can go further. If you're getting overwhelmed by the process, then you need to sit down. Lie on your bed if you must. This is the right time to take a rest.
Why You Must Forget Your Coursemates
No one is telling you that enemies surround you. There's a tendency that conversation can drift to anything not related to the coursework, and there's a high chance that you'll get hooked on it for hours. It will be a waste of time especially if the examination is a day or two away. In the same regard, you must avoid any talk after the examination. There's a likelihood that you'll compare notes, which can depress you if you realize that you have made a wrong move. If you have given your best effort, then there's no point in wondering what you could have done. It will be better to look forward to the next examination.
You can talk to your parents, but your mother might be too busy with tending to the garden. (Spring happens once.) Your old man may be doing something else, and you come at the wrong time. It seems awkward to have a pep talk with your tutor, so keep on telling yourself that you'll be fine. You must go forward, with a little trepidation, but thinking that all will be well in the end.
