Productivity( MondayTalk #8)

This week has been such a productive one for me. I went to classes, I did homework, and studied! And this isn't even finals week. I was very proactive, if I can say so myself.

I don't know what is it with this semester but I am more inclined to studying and doing my best. I love my professors(with some exceptions), love my classes and I am so happy that I get to learn two new programming languages( C# and Java). This is all very exciting.

On another note, I have a tone of project due very soon and I haven't even started them yet, which is sad. To tell you the truth, I feel like it's the third week of school and I should get moving and groovin'.

I applied for mandatory practice at some firms that are partners with my college which is kind of thrilling, to be honest. I can't wait to see if I can make the cut. There are a lot of students who have applied and I really hope I get in. The alternative is me finding a firm to intern for, on my own and that isn't an easy task. The good news is that two firms already answered me! I was so excited to read mails and a bit relieved, like I have a chance to do something and prove that grades aren't that important.

Going on the idea of grades in college, I have learned that it isn't important what your grade card says. The most important thing is for you to actually learn something. I have noticed a trend in my grades, and that is: if I love a subject (say C++), i will study for it and practice and learn quick. There are subjects that I hated and no matter how hard I tried, I still got low grades. In high school, it wasn't important if I liked a subject or not, it was way easier to get a high grade. What I am trying to say is that college is different. You get to a new level of learning and you actually get a chance to pursue what you like. 

This will be kind of a short blog entry. Although I have been very productive, it all revolves around college and studying. There is no point in me talking about my homework, however excited it might be for me. So this is it for this Monday Talk.

Staying motivated (MondayTalk #3)

Because I live in Romania and my educational system is different, I don't have finals week. Finals last 3 weeks here and an average Romanian students has about 5 exams. I myself have 7 this year.

It is so hard during this time of the year to stay motivated and study, study, study. Today I have to study for an exam that I will take in 2 days and I did nothing. Granted I have a 10 on my midterm but that is not the point. Instead of lying around all day I should have worked on something, anything productive! But no... I just sat around and watched tv series like Greek and Grimm. I imagined a lot too. I pictured myself in an Ivy League college, doing a project and loving every minute of it.

As it so happens I love doing projects, research, giving presentations, tests/exams not so much. Even the most basic exam for which I over-studied scared the crap out of me. Giving a presentation, not so much. 

But because I cannot pack up and go and should get back to my own world of studying. Before that I am going to leave you with some tips that make me keep going even when the level of boredom hit an alarming level.

1. If you can take it no more, take a nap. 15 minutes of napping will be like a restart for the brain. When you get up, you will be energized and some of the knowledge will have steeped into your mind.
2. Call a friend. Yes, this can be distracting but if you call someone that is motivated then he/she could help you go on with your own studies.
3. Listen to music. I keep some music rolling on a 5% volume at all times. I don't know why but I can work longer if I have music playing in the background.
4. Have something to drink at all times. The thirst might be an illusion that you are hungry and before you know it you are in the kitchen cooking a four star meal and neglecting the fact that the next day you have an exam.
5. Don't stay up all night. It is not worth it (unless you actually have no choice). Your brain needs time to soak in the information and if you don't sleep for at least 5 hours you might get flustered and screw it all up.