h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm only taking one AP course (A8541209) right now, European history, but it's driving me so crazy. Which is pathetic, I suppose, because in the future I'm going to be holding down something like three of these. But we have a test tomorrow, you see, and I have to do very well on it. Each assignment is graded out of 40. There are two components to the test, a multiple-choice and an essay. I found out that I have to get a 36 on each one in order to have an A for the class this semester. This is a problem because I've never been able to score more than 35 on an essay, an even less on a multiple-choice. I've been studying like mad for the past few days but I'm concerned that I'll forget it all when it comes to take the test.

But I do have to brag, and so I'll do it. A previous assignment - which I also had to get 36 on - was handed back today, and I got 37 on it - my highest grade on anything in the class! I posted it at A7512031 because I'm very, very proud. Now I just have to remember how I did that come tomorrow and another essay.

You might ask why I'm so worried - this isn't even the final grade that I'll have in the class, and a B in an AP class still isn't bad - but not only am I very insecure about grades, this grade matters more to me than most. It's so important for me to get an A in AP Euro because I might conceivably spend the rest of my life studying European history. And right now, I feel like, if I can't even pull an A in a high school European history course, does that mean I'm the wrong person to get the PhD? Does it mean colleges won't take me, because I can't get an A in the acknowledged easiest of the AP courses? What if I can't get a 5 on the test - even my mother got a 5 on the test, and I just know that my arch-rival, this boy who I both like and loathe at the same time, will do much better than I will. Which is very grating, you know.

I'm sorry for complaining so much to the entire world. I feel kind of stupid, really. But if they're going to put a journal on my PS, they can't expect me not to use it!

God, I hope I can pull this one off...

Hi Echo

Good luck on your test, not that you will need it, just relax and remember to breathe at least once an hour during it .

My older daughter (18 and doesn't she know it) is presently resitting a number of exams equivalent to High School to improve her grades in Law, Psychology and English. So I have some idea of the stress you are putting yourself through.

The most important thing to remember is that most PhD's are based more on your depth of understanding and the amount of effort you put in over a long period than any mere sit-down exam. The thesis, your own carefully researched theory on a particualr aspect of your subject, is the key to them not the ability to parrot facts.

Another thing is the greatest minds were often poor at school (i.e. Einstein) or self-educated (Da Vinci).

If you worry about remembering facts try a technique such as mind-mapping. This allows you to connect them together in a logical and graphical format that helps many students to recall them in a useful sequence. I am an inveterate mind-mapper, often taking notes and meeting minutes using the tool to a greater level of accuracy than simple note-takers.

Breathe, relax, pace yourself and love your subject - then it will come.

Bright blessings,
Matholwch /|\

Oh yeah - read each question twice slowly and answer the question. Think about that one.

Good luck!
Matholwch /|\

Also, you may well find that the question you get in the exam is easier than any of the practice questions you've done! As for multiple choice, you know one of them is right - if you don't know which, guess! (Listen to your 1st instinct for the answer if you're not sure.)

Also, you may well find that the question you get in the exam is easier than any of the practice questions you've done! A for multiple choice, you know one of them is right - if you don't know, guess! (Listen to your 1st instinct for the answer if you're not sure.)

<goodluck

BY the way, the essay you wrote is very good!

Oops.

Good Luck echo you've excelled yourself once (or more) before I am sure you can do it again. Best Wishes opti

Thanks guys for all your good wishes. *breathes*

OH so this is modern history That's good. Good essay also. Why did Germany take until 1871 to actually unify with all these things happening?

I'm more into earlier history such as the reformation and prior.

Bohemia is one of those spots, with Jan Huss and general Zizka (sp)
The Holy Roman Empire with its relationship with the pope is another, just recently figured out what an 'elector' was, We all learn at our own pace dont we.

I hope that your test worked out since it will be over when you see this.

a friend of mine gave me a very good piece of advice for exams.
"you know what you know and thats enough"


goood luck

from me too

in the words of our wonderful DNA -

Annie

Thanks, everyone. I think it went all right. There's only one question that I know I missed for sure, and the essay was on social and political reform in England, which I happen to know about.

<>

As I understand it, there was this liberal movement that wanted to unify Germany, largely out of nationalistic motivation, but the establishment (and the governments in power, for the most part) were conservative and were against unifying Germany because it would mean revolution, or so they thought. I'm assuming it took until 1871 for the tide to turn from the prevailing conservative atmosphere that was in Europe in the earlier part of the century.

That essay is impressive!

Thanks very much!

You will be pleased to know that, with a 36 on the multiple choice and a 35 on the essay, I now have an 84.5% in the class - exactly an A-, but it's an A and that's what counts.

In the midst of all this, you will also be pleased to know that Shazz and I have not done any last-minuting on this week! (I'm very proud.)

Wish me luck: what may be the most important quizbowl match of the season is tomorrow night.

And let me just say thanks, guys, for reading. I'm not good at being particularly eloquent, necessarily, but your good wishes mean a hell of a lot to me.

Well done, and ! You'll do well!

We won!!!!

Well, varsity (highest level) won by a huge margin, JV won by a narrow margin and novice lost.

But varsity won, which is the important thing. We lost to this team in the city championships last year, so the fact that we won this match was a sort of 'in your face' thing.

Mind you, *I* didn't play the match last year...

I am so, so relieved.

That's great, congratulations!

Are you in the Varsity team then?

Yes, I am. Though I'm at the age to play on any of the teams, so my goal is to play all three in one match!

Is that possible?!? (I don't know the rules as I'm over here in England...)