Studying is the process of physically harming one's brain to retain information he or she will most likely not remember five minutes post-exam. However, it is something every college student must do. After experiencing the stress of midterms this past week, I decided to break it down for everyone who forgot, or has yet to realize, what studying for a college course is truly like.
1. When you make a study schedule.
It is at least three days prior to your midterm exam, and you begin creating your study schedule. You have all of the details written out, stating what chapters you are studying, the crucial information you know will be on the exam and how you plan on studying. You are ready to rock and roll and you have at least 72 hours before sitting in the lecture hall. You are going to pass!
2. When you realize you don't have all necessary resources.
Let's face it... you missed class a couple of times. You didn't always prepare accordingly, and, therefore, you don't have all of the lecture notes. You frantically begin to text/email every student in the class for help, and you being doubting your success for this exam.
3. When you've procrastinated until the day before.
That study schedule you planned out? Yeah, you didn't stick to it, and you now see yourself faced with eight hours of crunch time to learn, study, memorize, teach yourself, send notes to your friend who forgot there was a test, make note cards and know everything humanly possible related to that subject.
4. When you crawl into class after pulling an all-nighter.
You've done it. You studied the best you could with a little help from coffee. The sleep deprivation is finally hitting you, and all you can do is pray that you remember everything you studied.
5. When you're in the middle of the exam, and you know the answer to a difficult question.
This is one of those questions that proves your professor really just wants to watch the world burn. It has tricky wording, an "all of the above" answer and two answers that are nearly identical. You think back to the hours of 3:00 a.m. and realize that you know the right answer. What a wonderful feeling—at least you've got one right.
6. When you attempt to calculate your score.
You have finished the exam and you now begin to go back and count the answers you know you for sure got right. You include the "maybes" in the "wrong" section so you can prepare for the worst possible grade. Once you've finally realized there's no turning back, you turn in the test.
7. When you find out you passed.
Congratulations! The professor hands out your test, and you see a grade better than you expected. You realize you can be successful (sometimes) and you decide to set aside the idea of dropping out... for now.
