Awright, it's down to brass tacks, here.

[ninevirtues]

I've tried the study schedule, the grade spreadsheet, the motivational self-talk in the car on the way to school. All of those motivational strategies are losing their punch.... we're all near the end of a long, stressful module. Some of my classmates flat out don't care anymore, and have turned on the TV.

I still care. I want good grades. It's time to reach into my motivational bag of tricks and pull out two that I save for emergencies.

#1: I called up a buddy... in California... and got him to agree to treat me to an over-the-top chocolate dessert if I make the grades I'm aiming for. (No grades, no dessert. So there. And part of the motivation is that it's a treat from someone else I don't get to see often enough.)

#2: I'm telling everyone here what grades I'm aiming for, and I'll post what grades I got.

So without further ado:

3 PM Monday: Anatomy Practical. I want a B in the class overall (83-85%).
To get there, I think I need a 90% on the practical and a 75% on the written.

9 AM Tuesday: Anatomy Written. (Again, I'm aiming for 75% or better. She gives hard tests!)

1 PM Tuesday: PT Science written. I want an A- (90%) in the class. I will settle for a B+ (87-89%). To get a 90%, I have to average 90% on the written and practical tests.

8:30 AM Wednesday: musculoskeletal written. I want an A- in the class, and to do that I have to get a 93% on the final test.

1:30 PM Wednesday: Human Life Sequence (pediatrics). I need an 80% on the final to get an A- in the class.

2:30 PM Thursday: PT Science practical. I need a 90% to get an A- in the class.

3:15 PM: Musculoskeletal practical (easy-- a pass/fail video review).

5 PM Thursday: Physiology. I need a 91% in this class to get an A-. The trick will be unwinding between 3:30 PM and 5 PM.

Comments

You Go, Girl!

[rose42dance.livejournal.com]

It's fantastic that you have your goals loud out and clearly stated, along with the means & ways of getting there. Remember to pace yourself - study for what block of time works for you (I usually last about 45 minutes), then get a cup of tea; study for another block of time and take a 10-minute walk. I always get a cleaner house when I study for major tests because I'll study for an hour or so and then clean for 20 minutes. Don't forget to eat (you won't be able to think any better otherwise), and have a pep-up (maybe a banana?) just before a test.

...but, then, you knew all of this.

Good luck!

[fighter-chick.livejournal.com]

I've enjoyed reading about your progress in school in this space. All the very best of luck on your finals, and on making it to that chocolate dessert!