Finals: Day Three
Or: Eric Miller's Guide to Living Through Finals.
Note: Living is a relative term.
Another note: Yes, the poem was Day One. I was asleep for Day Two, okay? Not like I had a final then...
Yet another note: Yes, I am planning on doing two more of these, after my next two finals.
Lets just run down a list of what to know about finals.
Clothing:
Good clothing is optional. Lets just get one thing straight about finals: Unless you're going out on a study break with your friends, the only time you'll really need clothing is for the final periods. Pretty much, all you're on campus for is to take a test and get out. Go to class in pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt. Wear the same pants you've been wearing for the last several days (lord knows I have). Its finals week: Expectations are as low as they could possibly be on a fashion front. Just wear something that's comfortable.
Grooming:
Showers are usually a good idea, if only to ward off the smell. Other than that, and by "that" I mean shaving or makeup, your own discretion. Same rules apply, basically, for clothing. No one is really concerned about personal appearance.
Schedule:
Here's how it works at UCI, and most places elsewhere. All classes on finals week meet once, at times designated by your lecture time. All discussions, labs, and lectures are not held. Usually you won't have two finals next to each other, and even then you'll have a half-hour break between them if you're terminally unlucky.
Sleep:
Get it when you can. Sleep at day, sleep at night, just get some sleep. The odds of you actually getting an average of 8 hours of sleep a night are ludicrous, however, so don't expect miracles. Make sure, though, that either you are wide awake for your finals or at least hopped up on caffine and sugar.
All-nighters:
Don't. I know this goes pretty much against any kind of expectations for finals week, but avoid all-nighters at all possible. The only time you should even consider one is if you have a paper, not a test, due during the final period. When I do an all nighter, the following day I don't remember a thing from the times between 1 AM to about 4-5 AM. Its this giant blank spot. Studying at these hours is pretty much pointless. This is why I have yet to do an all-nighter before a test this quarter.
That said, the schedule does favor all-nighters. What were early morning classes (9 AM) can become even earlier (8 AM). And since you don't have as many class periods, you can pretty much afford to just collapse in exhaustion after a final. Still, all-nighters are a last resort. If you didn't go to class during the quarter, and you have a comprehensive exam tomorrow morning, you've really got no choice. But it won't go very well.
Entertainment:
Excluding outings with friends as study breaks, gaming is going to be a very fun way of relaxing your mind. But may I make a suggestion: No online games. Nothing addictive. Nothing with a story for god sakes. Just mindless fun. Reason is: Any of the previous elements that usually spell "excellent game" also mean "addictive as hell". What you want for a study break is something you can pour 30-45 minutes in, AT MOST, and get out of no problem. This, strangely enough, is when mediocre games are useful: they aren't good enough to pull you in indefinitely.
If you want to play a good game, though, play portable games. These games are usually built around the "play for a couple of minutes" aspect. Metroid Zero Mission is great. If you can contain your self and only do a few battles, Fire Emblem or Final Fantasy Tactics Advance are good Tactical RPG's that will excercise your mind, keeping it sharp, and also allow you to jump out if neccessary.
Oh, and don't ask how I know these games are good, seeing as how I don't actually OWN a GBA. And for god sakes don't tell Nintendo or Square!
If you can't *cough* aquire *cough* any of those games, play some of the Yahoo Games games. They're simple, easy, and rather fun, and aren't involving enough to drag you in and not let go.
If I feel like more after I wake up in a few hours, I'll add it. Other than that, I need a 30 hour nap...
Note: Living is a relative term.
Another note: Yes, the poem was Day One. I was asleep for Day Two, okay? Not like I had a final then...
Yet another note: Yes, I am planning on doing two more of these, after my next two finals.
Lets just run down a list of what to know about finals.
Clothing:
Good clothing is optional. Lets just get one thing straight about finals: Unless you're going out on a study break with your friends, the only time you'll really need clothing is for the final periods. Pretty much, all you're on campus for is to take a test and get out. Go to class in pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt. Wear the same pants you've been wearing for the last several days (lord knows I have). Its finals week: Expectations are as low as they could possibly be on a fashion front. Just wear something that's comfortable.
Grooming:
Showers are usually a good idea, if only to ward off the smell. Other than that, and by "that" I mean shaving or makeup, your own discretion. Same rules apply, basically, for clothing. No one is really concerned about personal appearance.
Schedule:
Here's how it works at UCI, and most places elsewhere. All classes on finals week meet once, at times designated by your lecture time. All discussions, labs, and lectures are not held. Usually you won't have two finals next to each other, and even then you'll have a half-hour break between them if you're terminally unlucky.
Sleep:
Get it when you can. Sleep at day, sleep at night, just get some sleep. The odds of you actually getting an average of 8 hours of sleep a night are ludicrous, however, so don't expect miracles. Make sure, though, that either you are wide awake for your finals or at least hopped up on caffine and sugar.
All-nighters:
Don't. I know this goes pretty much against any kind of expectations for finals week, but avoid all-nighters at all possible. The only time you should even consider one is if you have a paper, not a test, due during the final period. When I do an all nighter, the following day I don't remember a thing from the times between 1 AM to about 4-5 AM. Its this giant blank spot. Studying at these hours is pretty much pointless. This is why I have yet to do an all-nighter before a test this quarter.
That said, the schedule does favor all-nighters. What were early morning classes (9 AM) can become even earlier (8 AM). And since you don't have as many class periods, you can pretty much afford to just collapse in exhaustion after a final. Still, all-nighters are a last resort. If you didn't go to class during the quarter, and you have a comprehensive exam tomorrow morning, you've really got no choice. But it won't go very well.
Entertainment:
Excluding outings with friends as study breaks, gaming is going to be a very fun way of relaxing your mind. But may I make a suggestion: No online games. Nothing addictive. Nothing with a story for god sakes. Just mindless fun. Reason is: Any of the previous elements that usually spell "excellent game" also mean "addictive as hell". What you want for a study break is something you can pour 30-45 minutes in, AT MOST, and get out of no problem. This, strangely enough, is when mediocre games are useful: they aren't good enough to pull you in indefinitely.
If you want to play a good game, though, play portable games. These games are usually built around the "play for a couple of minutes" aspect. Metroid Zero Mission is great. If you can contain your self and only do a few battles, Fire Emblem or Final Fantasy Tactics Advance are good Tactical RPG's that will excercise your mind, keeping it sharp, and also allow you to jump out if neccessary.
Oh, and don't ask how I know these games are good, seeing as how I don't actually OWN a GBA. And for god sakes don't tell Nintendo or Square!
If you can't *cough* aquire *cough* any of those games, play some of the Yahoo Games games. They're simple, easy, and rather fun, and aren't involving enough to drag you in and not let go.
If I feel like more after I wake up in a few hours, I'll add it. Other than that, I need a 30 hour nap...
posted by Wraithy at 12/08/2004 09:28:00 AM
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