As I edge nearer and nearer to exam season, I see lots of other blogs posting about their favourite revision techniques, using colourful highlighters and funny games as they drag themselves through the rehashing of information that they're going to forget as soon as they leave the exam room. I love these techniques; they make everything accessible, and can really train your memory up to remember all the facts. Just one problem.
The subjects I do aren't factual.
Well. English Language sort of is. But even then, I still don't know what I'm going to get asked, and the only 'revision' that's really effective for that precious two and a half hours of controlled time is exam practice. Which involves essays. Lots of essays. And it's boring as heck.
Same with Drama, and English Lit. Half of it isn't even about the content, it's about the exam technique and how I "discuss" and "shape my ideas". And for most, that's not something that comes easy if you don't practice it. The consequence: practice question after practice question, essay after essay after essay. URGH. Why can't I do some fun quizzes, or some memory games, or even just something other than typing and typing and typing?
Luckily for me, the actual exam technique comes quite easily. Same with regurgitating the content. But only in timed conditions; I can focus way more easily if I only have two hours to write an essay and can focus solely on that, rather than an entire afternoon with Facebook, YouTube and other various social media one mouse-click away to distract me.
Not even music helps, which is a huge downer. There's so many wonderful mixes on YouTube, all their alpha waves and that 432hz thing that everyone thinks is a government conspiracy. I've tried having food and drink with me while I do it. I've tried doing handwritten essays on my bed instead. I've tried whacking my head against the wall and commanding myself to focus. Okay, maybe not that last one, but you catch my drift? I just can't do it!
It's better in school, where I've got the studying mindset and there are less distractions because everyone else is in the same boat. Even better in the exam hall when my mind knows it's in a pressurized situation and decides to kick into gear. But not at home, with my computer and my sketchpads and food and social networking and family and DISTRACTIONS.
Essay after essay. Homework after homework. Too repetitive. I'm seriously at the point now where I just want to get it over and done with and forget everything I've learnt in the past two years. Too bad as that doesn't come for another two and a half months. God give me strength. My brain's about to turn into mush from staring at a computer screen all day typing...and typing...and typing...
