As Winter Quarter draws to a close and the inevitable hell
known as finals week comes upon us, it is easy to hole up in our rooms and
forget about the outside world. I have to admit that when final exams roll
around, I become a complete shrew, speaking to nobody and having only the
companionship of a history book to keep me warm on those cold 10th week nights.
However, I know that free time is always at a premium around finals week, so I
have decided to come up with a plan that will allow me to integrate global and
political awareness into my end-of-the-quarter rhythm.
These are just a few simple ways that mundane studying and
exam preparation can also serve to keep you on top of current events.
Integrating some basic techniques into your study habits will keep you
connected to global phenomena, while giving your tired brain a much-needed
break from concentrating nonstop on molecular biology and classical Greek, or
from stressing out about the fact that your Monster energy drink stash is
running low. These three time-tested methods will help you survive finals week
while giving you the gratitude of knowing that you aced your tests as an
informed, productive member of society.
Key Letter Association
Depending on what subject you are studying, choose a key
term or phrase that you can connect to something political of your choice. For
example, if you’re studying chemistry, every time you see the term “base
polymer” think of Barack’s platform. You don’t have to take time to research
his stances at that very moment, but just think about one thing that he
advocates and explain to yourself why or why not you agree.
This periodic internal political discussion will force you
to think more about the upcoming elections and give you a break before tackling
your next chapter on the magnetic resonance of spectroscopy. If science isn’t
your thing, how about “marginal product” for mass poverty, or “tonal harmony”
for totalitarian hegemony?
History Lesson at CLICS
With only one UCSD library open 24 hours a day during finals
week, students often gravitate toward CLICS for round-the-clock studying, even
if it is noisier and more social than Geisel. What most of the CLICS patrons
don’t realize, however, is that their cherished library stands directly above
one of the most historically and politically important sites on campus:
named George Winne Jr. set himself on fire in the middle of the plaza and died
in protest of the Vietnam War. The memory of Winne’s actions should never be
forgotten. Think about what it took for a student to end his own life in hopes
of bringing the war to an end.
Don’t just scuttle quickly past Revelle Plaza hoping to cram
in as much study time as possible but instead use your 10-second walk over the
plaza to understand that there is still a war going on today for the same
reasons that caused Winne to light the match.
Group Study
If you follow my previous suggestion, you will be even more
in need of social interaction and cheering up. What better way to do this than
to study in groups? I know that as UCSD students we feel like we’re smarter
than the guy next to us, so studying with him is only going to bring us down.
Not true.
Studying in groups allows us to learn new things that our
otherwise egotistical minds would have forgotten, and talking out ideas is a
great way to review. Also, teaching a subject to a peer is probably the best
way to cement it into your own mind. This will also give you the satisfaction
of knowing that you’ve got your material down stat.
Most importantly, though, is the fact that group studying
stresses community building and interaction between people. I promise you that
after a quality study session with a fun group of people you will walk away
feeling physically revitalized and with a greater appreciation for the impact
that other people can have in your life.
So just remember that the beginning of finals week doesn’t
mean that the world at large stops. If you are bent on devoting a week of your
life to nothing but school, then at least follow these fun and easy suggestions
that help to bring the real world into the little UCSD bubble that we love so
much.
