One More Day to the Mon Exam

Pray for me!! One more day for me to cram everything into my brain. The exam's at 1.50pm on Mon, so please pray that I can retain all the important stuff. I've been trying to go over the revision again and again, but haven't got very far with remembering... and am starting to panic and get all nervous. Today was productive, but not as productive as I hoped, so hoping for a better memory day tomorrow. The good news is that for this subject, I've already got a D for the previous assessments, so it's just maintaining that grade or the most, get a C. D (for distinction), C (for credit) just in case you were wondering... It's 1am and I think my brain is shutting down, so am gonna head to my pillow.

4 Days to Mon Exam!!

Can't believe sooo many people have finished their exams and I'm still studying for it! I've got 4 days left... just gonna summarise and type out my rough revision answers for the exam and memorise some tonight... So much to memorise... And it doesn't help that everyone's finished and asking me to head out. Haha! I plan to do some shopping therapy after - if I have the cash!

1 Dec Exam Prep

So my exam prep for 1 Dec is going okay, although I haven't memorised anything yet! I still need to go through a few sections and condense some of them or add more info. But can't do it tonight cause I end late and need to start on an early shift tomorrow.

So technically, I'll have about 4.5 days to memorise it all!! Yikes!!

Post-Stats Exam Trauma

Heyz, so I felt really really depressed and upset after my Stats exam that I immediately went straight to the department to apply for special consideration...

I was actually early for the exam, but then the bag queue was sooo long that I only got to the exam venue during the 5 mins reading time (we had 10 mins)... so it was pretty much panicky all the way. Then my biggest mistake was - I started on the tough questions first thinking if I can earn those big marks. What a dumb thing to do! Cause it lowered my confidence and I wanted to give up. We were allowed a 2-sided A4 cheat sheet for this paper, but because I wrote soooo tiny and crammed everything, and it was pretty dsorganised, I spent half the time trying to look for things, and felt frustrated. The exam was 3 hours, but I ran out of time and missed out on 2 whole sections. I saw the clock running and when it was half an hour left - for those 2 sections, I just scribbled a hypothesis accepting everything or saying there's an association and for the conclusion, it was supporting the entire results an hypothesis... Am hoping to get 1 mark for that. But yeah, I definitely knew that entire exam was pretty bad... especially since I only had about 2 days to prepare for it... cause I had this major phonology assignment that was killing me... My classmates said I should be alright - they think I'm like really smart or something and can pull through. But I knew from the moment I stepped out of that room, it was like I fell in quicksand.

Oh well, hope I get to sit the sup. If I sit it, that'd be 16 Dec. So at least I won't need to change my flights for that. The department said that the requirement for sitting the sup would mean you need to have passed your other coursework - that, am not worried about cause I have about 80% plus on my coursework. I'll only know 12 Dec whether I'd be sitting the sup or not. And when I do, I'm definitely going to write up my cheat sheet differently this time and head in extra extra early.

Now it's down to the wire for my next exam on 1 Dec. Working today and Sat and then next week, working 2 days also (on the Tue and Wed) then having the rest of the days off for study. But been waking pretty early at about 9am (Early for me... haha) to try and cram in some study... Usually I get up about 11am... Today my biological waking up clock was really weird cause I woke up and I checked my phone and it was 6am! I was like what - 6am?? So I went back to bed.

Lots of memorising for the next exam... If I can memorise two to three sections per day leading up to it, I'd be prepared for it. And hopefully I'd be able to maintain that D in it!

Exam Early Morning Tomorrow!!

So there's an exam tomorrow at 9:20... meaning I'll have to wake about 8 and really get prepared - make sure my calculator is working, I've got my cheat sheet, know my seat number and room, and pray. Can't really do anything else. Just have to leave it all to Him.

It's actually good that they gave the option of a cheat sheet of one A4 page, but right now, am starting to write the sheet and have no idea what to put on it. I'm just going by lecture and hoping that my notes will be readable and comprehendable. This is a Stats exam by the way... and it's all short answers/report-like questions.

Don't know whether it's to do with stamina, but I've been trying out past exam papers and after the first question, I've already started to give up on the Stats content - didn't really feel like doing anymore... There will be about 8-10 questions in the exam with lots of different parts to it, so hopefully I can answer all of them in the 3 hours that we have.

Really really nervous (which is quite normal I guess) - maybe cause it's my first paper for Sem 2, but I know I should really just try my best. This is my second-last paper. Kinda wished I started studying for it a little earlier, but now there's no time to re-practice those past exams, so I'm just gonna try at them with crossed fingers.

The strange thing is, after the exam, I will be going to work - You guys might think I'm a little crazy especially since I requested it... But at least it'll kinda keep my mind off post-exam thoughts such as "oh no, I think I did that wrong" "oh no, should have done this" etc... And the $$ after exams should be good. Hopefully it'll be a gd day of work...

The Signs of Exams!!

The assignments are gone! Yay!! But now, it's the exams! I'm kinda stressing a little for the Stats exam on the 20th (this Thur!) because I don't really know how to study for them. I've been trying out a few past papers and believe it's all about practice. But I just started today in the afternoon, and there's not much time left. I think I know how to do it, but then again, all the past papers were extremely hard, especially the 2006 one! So I'm just buggered at the moment!! Well, 3 more weeks till I officially close this semester's chapter, and then my grades are all left to Him. Prayers needed abundantly!!

It's 2AM!!!

Why am I still up??!! Not sure - think I have lots on my mind...

First - good news! I finished this one assignment about an hour ago. It was a bit slow and draggy, but with His strength, managed to do it!! Yay! One more dreaded assignment to go and then it's down to studying for the exams! Yes, I managed to resist the shows TY gave me. Haha! The shows are sooo addictive!

Today has been a really long day... I had to get the nurse to look at my stitches again because they were protruding and weren't dissolving - stubborn little things. I went to the clinic and they actually got a tweezer and pulled the thing out. It was Ow! Then after that, I had to get my mum from her hotel. She wanted to cook for me which was really sweet. So we went to get groceries, but by the time we got back, it was about 4pm. While she cooked, I had to do my assignment, but I did warn my mum beforehand... She just came at a really bad time when everything was due. While she was cooking, I couldn't really do much of my assignment because my mum kept asking me where to put stuff... I managed to write about a paragraph though. Well after all that cooking, I sent my mum back to the hotel, but it was around peak hour and when I got back, it was already about 7:30pm - ate and then took about 3 hours to complete the rest of my assignment. But glad that one's over and done!

Oh, while grocery shopping - and this is the exciting part - the Otolaryngology department at Melb Uni called. Haha... I can't even pronounce that word properly. Oh dear me! Anyway, they called and I was shortlisted for an interview, which means I head back to Melb earlier than planned. But because I already booked flights for the 18th to 23rd to Melb (my initial plan to Melb), I will only go for a short trip just for the interview, cause of work commitments. The interview's on the 8th and I'll be in Melb from 7-9th Dec. I really can't believe it - that I got that interview. I mean, I understand I did my BA and Honours in Melb Uni, but I also tried out this Pgrad Cert and never really completed it... Hmm... Plus, rem how I did BA/Law and dropped out of the Law bit in my first year of undergrad? Hmm... wonder what they'd say to that. But yep, am happy and it's all really exciting getting that interview! Hope it all goes okay.

A piece of bad news - been spending sooo much, the finances are sooo tight. And especially since I only have 10 days paid sick leave per year and used them all up, and then had additional sick leave... haven't really gotten paid much at all. Plus I just got a toll notice! It was way back in October... didn't really recall where I was then, but it said I was heading north... I'm assuming I was going to work at that hour.

And then my sis is planning to go to London in Dec with my parents to visit relatives, but because I already booked flights for Melb and the interview and visiting TY and frens... I don't have the savings to go there at all.

Then there's this other thought in my head that if I get into my course, I'd prob not work in media anymore and work in a health-related field instead. So many things...

Anywayz, tomorrow, it's handing in my assignment, getting a few groceries and then heading to work. After work, it's purely the last and final assignment for the year... and then down to business with the studying for the exams. First major exam's on the 20th!! Lots of prayers needed!!

How's the Studying?

I keep getting distracted... One of the nights, it was a Heroes marathon for me. Then tonight, it ended up to be a Desperate Hsewives marathon. *sigh* I think I'm trying to sweep the assignment stress under the carpet. Like I have this practical test on the 12th, so Wed... an assignment due on the 14th, another assignment due on the 17th, exams on the 20th and then my final exam on 1 Dec. The good thing about the 20th and the 1 Dec is that I have 10 days to study for my next paper, which is good. But am also working too... Will probably try to do my utmost best and try to score. My last chance for this year really and hoping it'll all go okay...

For now, it's just assignments. Haven't got to the study bit, but will try to finish one of my assignments by Wed and then start a bit of study on Thu with my other assignment. That's the plan!

Seeking Direction from Above

Dunno why, but been having doubts about my course next year - might be the stress with all my assignments, work, how to cope financially next year, what's going to happen in two years after my course... So many thoughts and many decisions to eventually make, as well as risks... And just felt like I needed God. I need His direction, I need Him to show me light, I need that burning faith again... So I took some quiet moments with Him today and yesterday. And in fact, yesterday, I turned on my radio in my car and this song spoke every bit of what I've been feeling at that particular moment... You guys may recognise it... the lyrics go... (the song sounds sad, but it's actually got really nice tones to it. And this little sharing is just my plea to God, and yeah, I know it'd all be ok cause I have Him - take it as a "hope" song)

My life, has led me down the road that's so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Trying to find my way,
Trying to find the faith that's gone
This time, I know that you are holding all the answers
I'm tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

My life, has led me down this path that's ever winding
Through every twist and turn I'm always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without

I don't know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won't You show me where I need to go
Oh oh Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it`s the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

Oh, give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You - Third Day's Revelation

Getting Sidetracked

As most people know, exams are around the corner for me and I still have 3 major assignments and 2 mini-tests left. The killer assgnment is going to be phonology.

Anyway, had work today, came back and wanted to start on some phonology readings, but some news disrupted that thought... See this cute thing...















Ain't it gorgeous? Baby pygmy hippo at the Torongo Zoo here in Syd!! Hee! I want one!
Note: I do get distracted by animals... Hee! Who wouldn't if they are as cute as this?

But yes, back to studies. Did a 2-week timetable and as long as I follow it strictly, I think I should do quite ok - hopefully. Need lots of prayers!! Need that distinction!! *stress hits head*

Muddleheaded...

Don't know what I was thinking. But on the weekend, actually yesterday (Sun), I messaged one of my classmates regarding an assignment and he replied back saying "Err, it's due tomorrow (Mon)." I was like Yikes!! Cause I somehow wrote in my diary that it was due then 3 Nov Mon, but in fact, I drew this arrow to 5 Nov Wed... and so all this while, I thought it was due then. So I quickly emailed my lecturer to ask for an extension. Good thing the uni email system was down the entire weekend due to maintenance - that way, it was easy excuse. My lect responded and said ok, so a bit relieved. But been reading up my notes and haven't written anything!!

Plus I've been more achy today and I called my doc to see if it was normal. He said it was normal and perhaps the skin is just stretching around the area. He said if it is still painful to just take panadol. But at this stage, I would say the pain and ache is tolerable - don't really want to be feeding off panadol. He also said I can massage the area a bit if I want. But just touching the skin with the dissolvable stitches that hasn't dissolved... it's like *scrinch* (may or may not be a word, but you know the feeling)

Prayers needed for assignment... It's 1000 words, but it comes with graphical plots which I'm about to do soonish. I have till tomorrow morn deadline because I'm working tomorrow and then Wed, I've got another assignment (a group one) to tackle. It'll be one of those miracle assignments if I can get it done in a few hours and get really great marks! I hope of course that I will...

What Sickness Does

I felt like drowning myself with Codral yesterday... was soo sick...
Today a bit better - still sniffling. Didn't want to call in sick, cause I used up all my sick leave already and need the $$ for rent. You could tell I was pretty sick cause I went online to do my Stats online quiz and it was the first quiz ever that I got 55%. All the while, been averaging 80% and up. My brain just wasn't up to it.

Have a few more assessments to go. Tomorrow I have a group discussion for a group assignment and there's this other vowel assignment as well. First exam's on the 20th! Argghhh!! I've applied for some leave during the exam period to study. Just hope I get on top of all the studies. Doing my head in.