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

[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.