Finals Week: Pull Hair Out or Relax?

Finals

I had my Math final on Monday. The night before I spend studying, fixing problem areas on my English paper, and completing an extra credit assignment for Chemistry. This was all due on Monday as well. Somehow I managed to get it all done, and not look like a vegetable in the morning.

The test itself went very well, but self-doubt once again reared its ugly head causing me to question every answer I had. This is especially frustrating when you know the information going into the test, where when you see the test all the information goes “poof”.

Chemistry was better, since that was the last test I had to really study for. I managed to hone in on the test and was able to complete it with time to spare. My English final was just revising my paper, and submitting it online.

The Meeting

Yesterday was stressful because, I had a meeting with my Chemistry teacher. This was the first time I’ve actually gone into a meeting, without my parents to help keep me on track. This helps me stay focused on the points that need to be addressed during the meeting, instead of babbling about other stuff which often happens when I’m stressed.

For the first 10 minutes I listened to the conversation between my advisor and Chemistry teacher, we’ll call her N.

The main objective of the meeting was to clarify a few things, since I have her again for the next science course. When they asked me if I had any questions, comments, or concerns. My mind was blank, and I mean blank.

I tried thinking back to the conversation. When I found the point I wanted to bring up with N, the word was stuck on my lips. I tried everything: sounding it out, breaking apart the word, and even keeping a beat by tapping my knee. Still nothing. My stress was getting to me, so I just stopped and started over.

Midway through my first sentence I remembered a technique my speech therapist taught me. It’s called elongate (stretching the words out to be more fluent), and it worked! Now I assume there’s a more in-depth explanation of this as I’m not a SLP.

This week has been stressful, but it’s starting to turn around. Once the weight has been lifted off your shoulders, you feel like a new person.

Whether you’re in a tough spot, or consumed with work, school, etc. take a few minutes from whatever it is you’re doing to just relax. It does wonders believe me.

-James