Comps

[brigdh]

Tomorrow I'm starting my comprehensive exams (aka prelims, quals, orals, etc)! I'm nervous. The way my university does it, you pick three professors. Each professor will give you one question; I'll get them tomorrow at 9am. Then I have ten days to write ten pages for each of the questions. It's just graded pass/fail, but essentially you cannot fail without having to leave grad school. Thus, the nervousness. Also, I unlikely to be on LJ much for the next ten days! At least I hope so, since if otherwise, I clearly will not be doing well.

Wish me luck! Or, if you have done such a thing yourself, give me tips to keep from going crazy.

Comments

[puella-nerdii.livejournal.com]

Good luck! I'm sure you'll knock it out of the park, but I will cross my fingers for you nonetheless. :D

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

#^^# Thank you!

[kessie.livejournal.com]

Good luck! I have full confidence that you'll do brilliantly. M got through his by, uh, working non-stop in his room and only leaving it for meals.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Haha, that is totally what I'm planning to do.

[vom-marlowe.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

I have done similar things, several times. Here's my advice:
1. Make sure you take care of your body. Get enough sleep. Get good, healthy food even if you must get takeaway or prepared salads or something more expensive than usual. It's more important to eat well than eat cheap. (I like Amy's frozen meals, but they cost a fortune, and during that time, I let myself have as many as I wanted, for instance.) Drink enough water/liquids (dehydration is a brain killer). Eat a GOOD breakfast.
2. Remove anything distracting that's negative, like news reports.
3. Take small breaks that are comforting or warming, and let yourself revel in them. Watch a comedy, laugh at a silly joke, cuddle with your lover, check cute overload, etc.
4. Take a small physical break often, and do something with your hands, like wash dishes or fold laundry or go for a walk or take a shower, because it will let you back brain do the work.
5. Splurge on office supplies that are cheering, like cute pens or new notebooks or nifty paper. Anything that makes it fun and relaxing instead of terrifying. Britney stickers! Hello Kitty pens! Whatever.
6. Think of a good reward and look forward to it. Expect to sleep all day after they're due.
7. ETA: And don't be afraid to ask for cheering help or moral support or hugs!!

Good luck and I'm sure you'll do just fine!!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

That's really good advice! Thank you so much.

[rm.livejournal.com]

You will be awesome and fine.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

#^^#

[rm.livejournal.com]

What does that one mean, i forget?

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

It is a happy blushing face. ^^ by itself is happy eyes- it's not turned sideways like :) just straight up and down. You have to picture the eyes being sort of pinched by the smiling cheeks, so o.o is blank eyes and O.O are wide eyes and >.> are eyes looking to the left and <.< are eyes looking the other way. Etc! And then add #^^# and they are the cheeks, colored in because they are blushing.

[rm.livejournal.com]

One day I will remember this. Meanwhile, you are really cute.

[threewalls]

Good luck! You will be awesome!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[bcassie.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

I'm sure you'll do great.

*Big hugs*

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[byzantienne.livejournal.com]

You will be awesome!

I just finished mine. So. Couple things:

1. It's going to suck, at least once, in a profoundly 'I cannot do this I am incapable' way. You will believe it with all your heart. It will not be true. You can do this.

2. Pace yourself. You actually do have enough time to take a day or two days to organize and outline.

3. Have a Useless Mindclearing Activity. (I watched a lot of So You Think You Can Dance episodes.) Do it when you think your brain is about to liquify.

4. You will be unable to talk about anything else. It may be wise to warn your companions and acquaintances about your new Very Important Topic Of Conversation.

Also, you're going to be just fine. Best of everything!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That is excellent advice.

[mithrigil.livejournal.com]

I for one think you're going to kick ass. :smile:

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Awww. Thank you. #^^#

[doire]

Good Luck! - not that I think you need it.

When one no longer makes sense, move on to the next. When none of it makes sense, clean something.

Note, I do not recommend "Clean ALL the things" at this time

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And yes, much more of a "write ALL the things" time.

[marchek.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

1. You know more than you think!
2. Outlines & plans of attack are your friend -- they divide the huge unmanageable into more digestible chunks.
3. You will rock this. *grin*

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Hee. Thank you!

[graene.livejournal.com]

lots of positive luck!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

Very best of luck, not that you need it.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I hope your questions are good ones and fun to write about, as that always makes the writing seem a little easier. Zoom!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

I hope so too! XD Thanks!

[pukingtoreador.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[drmoonpants.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhh ffffff comps. Good luck!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Hahaha yes that is my feelings. Thank you!

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

Good luck! You can do it!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

Remember you're super! Self- doubt is an affliction of the wise.

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[coyotegoth.livejournal.com]

Good luck- hope it's going well!