Ten steps to prepare for finals

It’s that time of the year again, finals, exams, essays. How do you prepare? I’m sharing my ten steps to be prepared and avoiding a nervous breakdown on the big day…

I can’t remember how much I have shared of my student life. I don’t think it’s much, but we’ll get to that later. What I do want to share with you is how I prepare for my exams. And believe me, I’ve had a lot of them!

1: Before the school year starts I’m always eager to get started. And I’m the kind of person who doesn’t like being behind. So I check what books I need, buy them and mark out what chapters or parts of the books I need to read.

2: Always read on the back first! That way you have more of an idea of what comes in the book.

3: The first time I read a book I read it fast. To be honest it’s just to make sure I have been through it all in case I run out of time too fast.

4: At this stage I read it more thorough. I use a highlighter and take notes as I go. Because I’ve already been through the book I have an idea of what’s important.

5: Take a break! A while before the day of the exam I put the books away and pretend  they don’t exist anymore.

6: Find your notes! A few days before the exam I go through my notes and make sure I know them. If you made good notes, this is gold.

7: Relax. I have seen so many people panic the day before the exam. They can’t sleep, they can’t eat and they bury their heads in the books. You can’t remember it all, and in my experience it just confuses you. Don’t think about it at all. What you haven’t learnt already, you will probably not learn today either.

8: The morning of the exam I always wake up long before I need to. Not because I can’t sleep, but because I don’t need stress on this day. I take my time with my morning routine. And don’t forget to bring food, sweets, drinks, extra pens and anything else you might need. I find sugar boosts helpful.

9: Bring your notes! No, you can’t use them inside, but if you reach a point where you think you forgot something, you can easily check before going in.

10: You walk into the room and freak out? I don’t. I have probably spent the last 24 hours convincing myself that I can do this. And honestly, what’s the worst that can happen? Ask yourself that when you get nervous. The answer is simple, you just have to try again. And imagine how well you know the subject by then.

 

Right now I’m studying International Relations at the university. Very interesting, but also very difficult. I’m lucky, because most of the exams are over the internet, which means I can do them from home.

So this morning it was on! 29 hours to put together something great about the european security policy and how it’s affected by the conflict between Russia and Ucraine. And I did it! I followed my ten steps and pulled it off, even way before due. I’m very proud of myself. I’m still gonna go through it again in the morning before delivering, but I’m happy with my work.

And because I don’t have to spend the day tomorrow continuing with my exam, I’m treating myself with a visit to my beautiful hairdresser Cristina!

Good luck with your exam!

 

Exploring the wildlife

My kids love exploring, probably like every other child. Today we decided to take Chucky with us to look for lizards around the neighborhood.

Personally I think the lizards are disgusting! They’re not tiny ones like in Norway, but big and fat. And they are everywhere.

With a dog and two noisy girls the lizards are long gone before we even get anywhere near them. Luckily for me. But some of them are too used to humans! This one was just chilling on the wall.

My girls weren’t ready to give up before they found a bunch of them. Fortunately I knew a good spot where there’s usually lots of them chilling on the rocks in the sun. But unfortunately they are too fast to get a decent photograph.

The excitement and nervous state of mind when they are sneaking around whispering not to scare them is priceless. A simple duty, to take the dog out after dinner to let him do what he needs, can so easily be turned into something special. Memories they will talk about for a long time. A fun and exciting afternoon just by walking in the neighborhood.

A small reminder of the little things. The cheap, yet so valuable joys of small details on a long day. For a moment we are in another place, out of the average and just appreciating. We should all make time for quality time like this more often.

A perfect weekend

Well, a lot happened last week. I thought I went back to reality, but got thrown right back to bed after seeing my doctor with orders to stay there.

After lots of new medicine I’m still sleeping most of the day, but as you all know, relaxing is not really my strongest side. This weekend I’ve let the house be as it is, everything can wait. I just wanted to spend my energy with my girls.

Yesterday we went to a birthday pool party with all their friends. I love the birthday parties here. All the parents gets some time together and they all do it big, so the kids really get to enjoy themselves!

Today we started with a walk to the park with Amelias boyfriend Nicholas. He’s a lovely boy and it’s always nice to have him with us.

While Chucky and I were chilling in the shades watching the view, the kids enjoyed ice creams and used up their energy sliding and running around. As usual Amelia and Nicholas went to church after.

Nicholas mother is just as lovely as he is and I can’t thank her enough for how helpful she is. She never says no to doing a favor, and ahe always knows when I need a break. Today was no different. After lunch she took my girls for a couple of hours so I could get my rest. I can’t believe how much it is possible to sleep!

A lovely weekend with fun, friends, play and parties ended with cake and some exercise in the pool.

Reality knockout

Everyone has rough days sometimes, obviously. Last week was spent in the hospital and yesterday it was back to work and school. I was excited about it, but in for a surprise.

Going back to reality knocked me out big  time! I feel horrible, I have no energy or motivation and just want to stay in bed.

I go in waves, and when I go down it goes quickly. By the time I finished my day at work I was so exhausted that I was wondering how to even get to my car. I couldn’t bare the thought of everything waiting at home. Walk the dog, get the kids, cook dinner, clean up, take my girls to dance class, get everyone ready for bed, walk the dog again, work on the blog, the list goes on.

I don’t have time to be sick. I can’t skip work. I can’t fail my kids. Nothing on my to do list is optional, it’s simply what I have to do.

So how to get through this alone?

*Plan the day! Plan breaks to catch your breath. A break will also give you a fresh start

*Treat yourself! If you have a tight schedule, tell yourself that “when this is done I will have a coffee break”. Or a chocolate, a cigarette or whatever motivates you

*Laugh! During a rough day it’s hard, but if you look closer you will find something funny

*Eat! Food helps with everything

*Motivate yourself! Tell yourself it’s temporary, and that tomorrow will be different

*Move! When I feel bad I don’t wanna leave the house or even the sofa. But I find that just a short walk and some fresh air gives me a boost

*Vitamins! It helps with sickness, energy, sleep and pretty much run your body. I wouldn’t survive without my chewing ones from The Sunshine Empire!

*Ask for help! No matter if I’m sick or just in a bad mood there is one thing that helps every time: To call my boyfriend! Some compassion and sympathy is miracle medicine

We all have different ways to get through hard times whether it’s physical or psychological. But we get through it one way or another.

I’m exhausted and I feel sick, and now I have just gotten my boost from my boyfriend, had a chocolate and are gonna treat myself with an hour of TV before bedtime. Then I’m gonna tell myself that tomorrow is a new day and it’s gonna be better than this one.