new outlook

I have a huge test on Tuesday. I am talking 1/3 of my grade test, where the other 2/3 of my grade are made up of two other tests. For some reason, I am not too stressed. For those of you who really know me know that I am an ISTJ who gets stressed and anxious about lots and lots of things, but this semester, I am not working myself up about small, frivolous details. Sure, a test is a big deal, especially when it is approximately 30% of my grade, but I think that stressing out over small things like that anyway, makes me more anxious and more nervous that I should be. It does not help in any way. I study, I make sure I understand the material, and I conquer. That is my motto for this test: Study, Understand, Conquer. I think that will work. I spent an amount of quality time in the library today studying, taking notes, comparing book and lecture notes and reviewing for this test. I am still studying as we speak, but my four hours at the library were very productive indeed. Without my lack of a social network thanks to my Facebook depravity, all I had was music, YouTube, Google, and my Media Institutions book. Quality time right there. I have started listening to classical music, on a very low volume may I add, when I study. I know it sounds corny, but it really helps drown out the other thoughts that I have running through my head and allows me to take in what I am studying sans various distractions.

I think I am really starting to figure out how I study best: classical music, no distractions, no wandering thoughts, and calmly, but with confidence. Calm and confident - that sounds like a good way to study for me. I think approaching it with the mindset that I really do know the material and all that the test is asking of me is to apply that knowledge, than I should be okay. We should all approach tests, and life that way. If we understand that we have the knowledge to succeed and we go out in life, in whatever we may be doing, and know that all we need to do to be successful is to apply those skills, then we should flourish in life. I think that is a good way to think about it - so go ponder that for a while. For now, I am off to continue studying.