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Well, this shoots me back to grad/undergrad finals. There's something oddly comforting in knowing exactly what you'll be doing every hour of the next 14 days.

My unasked-for advice is pretty pedestrian, but at least some of it, I think, bears offering: eat well (lots of protein, few sugars and fats), take frequent but very short breaks during which you do some push-ups and sit-ups, No music, decent night’s sleep. In short, take care of your body and your brain – you will absorb and effectively contextualize more information under the “care” plan than you will if you’re wired on sugar and coffee, unclear/hazy from lack of sleep, and bloated from donuts and pizza. Make a list/schedule of these things, tape it to the wall, and stick to it. Don’t get suckered into a “last minute push” of breakless fasting/studying.

I’ve always found it very useful to “leave the books” every so often and “explain” what I’ve just absorbed to a sympathetic listener. Usually, given the riveting subject matter I’ve focused on, my audience was my cat or one of my desk plants. Narratives are quite effective at locking things in memory – one of the easiest ways to create narrative structures is to simply tell someone/thing a story. After I adopted this approach as an undergrad, my GPA rocketed upwards and stayed there throughout grad school; all I can say is that this approach has worked for at least one person (and that I wish I’d done it sooner.)

Obviously, you’ve been down this road before (Successfully!) and have your own study plans, strategies, and personal tricks. Remember that and don’t get wigged out. Hold the line, man; we’ll see you on the far side.

Scoplaw

Posted by: Scoplaw at April 21, 2004 08:04 AM

Break a leg!

Posted by: falconred at April 21, 2004 10:52 AM

You'll be fine buddy. Here's my most distinct memory: Second semester classes seemed so much harder to me, but I ended up performing almost exactly the same as I did first semester. And don't worry if you feel like there's no way to study for Con Law. Everyone feels like that. Best of luck...and wish it back, because I really need it too.

Posted by: Bekah at April 21, 2004 03:19 PM

You'll be fine buddy. Here's my most distinct memory: Second semester classes seemed so much harder to me, but I ended up performing almost exactly the same as I did first semester. And don't worry if you feel like there's no way to study for Con Law. Everyone feels like that. Best of luck...and wish it back, because I really need it too.

Posted by: Bekah at April 21, 2004 03:19 PM

The comments about eating few sugars are kind of off base, particularly for eating during an exam. Your brain only burns glucose. You don't want too much (it'll make you hyper) but you need to feed your brain, and diverting power to digestion is sometimes suboptimal. Apples are very very good.

This is not to say to skip the protein, of course--I'm a big fan of eating well--but that if you're feeling muzzy-headed, a quarter of an apple will get you sharp pretty damned fast.

Posted by: Heidi at April 21, 2004 05:42 PM

You will be done literally at the moment that I begin my exams. good luck!

Posted by: Aviva at April 21, 2004 07:16 PM

Thanks for the well-wishes. As for eating sugars and whatnot, I was eating an Oreo and drinking a big cup of coffee when I read that advice. I guess I'm following the energy roller-coaster plan. Speaking of which, I'm exhausted... ;-)

Posted by: ambimb at April 21, 2004 08:13 PM

I second the "explain it to someone" tip. That's the number one way I get things into my head. It doesn't look like you have time for study groups, but evenings in coffee shops for reviews with other students really work for me. As long as you can keep the conversation on topic.

I'm not sure what book you're using for Civ Pro, but i'm happy to share my outline for Subrin (with anyone).

Also, good luck on 4. I only have 3.

Posted by: monica at April 22, 2004 05:52 AM

Wow.. they are brutal on your guys down the steet. We have at least 3 days between finals - more often 5. Granted, we also aren't done for more than a week past you - but, hey, I'd take that over what you're going to be going through!

Posted by: disputation at April 23, 2004 12:10 AM

you get 4-5 days in between? our finals are May 10th, 12th, and 14th. It's like you have an entire reading week for each one!

Posted by: monica at April 23, 2004 08:21 AM

I think ours are next wed, mon, fri, and then monday. (and, it looks like we still finish before you :))

Posted by: disputation at April 23, 2004 02:28 PM

Ours are Tuesday, Friday, Tuesday, Friday. But the second Friday is a take home which I will recieve on the last day of class next week.

I talk with my hubby about what I'm reading. He's very good at asking probing questions and coming up with killer hypos since his degree is in philosophy. That didn't work so much in Contracts - but i got the same grade there as in every other class so it didn't hurt either.

Three weeks to go til summer! I can't wait to start my jobby job!

Posted by: Rayne of Terror at April 24, 2004 10:52 AM