Is this what they call 'studying smart'?
When I was in school, it always seemed like a great failing that I couldn't seem to study consistently but ended up studying last-minute. Like, haiyo! Where is your self-discipline, girl? Apa ini mau berak baru gali lubang? (Only start digging the hole once you are ready to, ahem, do business...)
I guess the great thing about growing up is finally accepting that yes, this is the way I study, and hey, guess what? It works for me!
The night before and morning of exams, I always sit down and memorise a list of things I absolutely MUST know. Then I go into the exam hall, frantically scribble it all down before it flies right out of my head, sit down, read the exam questions, pick relevant stuff from what I've scribbled, and apply it.
It's really not how much you know... it's what you do with what you know. Or at least, that's how I'm starting to look at exams these days.
I've always hated exams. As of this morning, when I was running around doing errands (because I was on leave, and when else would I have time to go get my car's road tax and insurance renewed?), I still felt like I didn't know anything. Empty brain. I'd been up till 2am the night before, studying, but I wasn't sure any of that stuff had actually stuck inside my head.
I got home, had lunch, showered, and then frantically reviewed all the most crucial bits of information. When I went into the exam hall at 3pm and opened the question paper, my first reaction was, "ZOMG I'M GOING TO DIE!!!"
Then I stopped being so melodramatic, calmed down, crossed out the questions which I absolutely had no hope of answering, chose the other questions, and started to write. And some thoughts and ideas started to take shape (I'd be lying if I said everything nicely fell into place. That is so not true). So it wasn't that bad after all.
And I realised that I've been doing this all the while. I did that during law school and I'm doing it now. I've always operated this way. I don't really study a lot -- all my former housemates and roommates can attest to that -- but I somehow study just enough and make do with what I have. It works for me. Go figure.