Comprehensively STRESSED!!!
Next week I take my comprehensive exams. These exams could be over ANYTHING related to my major (New Testament) and my minor (New Testament Theology), and I have to pass in order to move forward and write my dissertation. They are written exams, 4 hours Tuesday (major) and 4 hours Wednesday (minor). I have been madly trying to study for the exams, and the more I study, the less I know. All the information is a big jumble in my head, and I'm struggling to keep it straight. It doesn't help that I don't know what is going to be asked! My task over this weekend is to create a question related to each area that I know will be covered and sit down and write an essay to answer the question - this should help to compartmentalize the information, and it's good practice. I did one essay yesterday - it's 6 pages long, single-spaced, and took longer than I will have on a single day. STRESS!!!
In the meantime, I've been putting off anything that is not absolutely urgent until after comps. Which means that I now have a LONG list of things to do after comps, and I've already started forgetting some of them. So for the sake of my mental health, I'm going to make a list here of all the "to do's" for after comps.
In the meantime, I've been putting off anything that is not absolutely urgent until after comps. Which means that I now have a LONG list of things to do after comps, and I've already started forgetting some of them. So for the sake of my mental health, I'm going to make a list here of all the "to do's" for after comps.
- Clean my apartment. It's a disaster!
- Get the oil changed in my car.
- Edit Ingo's dissertation.
- Send CV's out to colleges for possible teaching jobs.
- Prepare for the children's choir Christmas concert.
- Take photos for various families.
- Start Weight Watchers with Genny.
- Introduce Courtney to Sam Moon and the stores around it.
- Finish (and START) Christmas shopping.
- Create this year's installment of the Barb's Favorite Christmas Songs cd's.
- Finish the scrapbook of my family's trip to Scotland/England before I go home for Christmas.
- Catch up on all the tasks in the office that I've been neglecting - like filing...
- Put together my prospectus for my dissertation (assuming I pass comps).
- Put up my Christmas tree (admittedly this can wait a bit).
Oh my! So much to do, so little time! Please pray for me as I go through this final crunch time before the exams. Pray that my mind will be clear, that my anxiety will ease, that I will be able to recall the information that I have studied, and that I will be able to articulate it well. I can't WAIT till 5:00 on Wednesday, Nov. 12! Anyone up for a celebration?
Comments
Oh, and I'm totally up for a celebration... let me know where we can meet! =D
Second, a reminder..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Third, I'm looking forward to the WW accountability.
Fourth, I have elves to help with house cleaning, tree raising and other types of problems.
Fifth, you are one of the smartest people I know and you will pass easily!
I will pray for you to keep calm and be self assured you have everything under control. :) I know you already have the rest taken care of.
oh, and i knew i'd forget something from my post-comps to-do list. I remembered it when I looked in the mirror - gotta get my eyebrows waxed and a pedicure. Can't wait!