Paramedics Week 8: survived

Two thirds of the regulation semester is now gone, leaving four weeks of classes before swot vac (study week before exams) and exams.

The first third of the course dragged on like I couldn't believe. I was so overwhelmed and exhausted that by the time I got to Sunday night, I'd usually cried twice in the week. The second third has been made easier by having my license and the routine has become a lot more familiar. Entering phase three, exams are already way too close for comfort already.

This week has been a slog. My enthusiasm levels have been low and whilst I've tried to really knuckle down on my work but the more I do, the more there seems to be. I've also found certain elements of uni administration to be less than thrilling this week. For example, I prepared a presentation to give in a tutorial only for the tutor to decide that he didn't want to hear from all the groups so my partner and I would not need to present. My slide show was pretty and I'd sound some really cool information and I was more than a little annoyed that I'd put it all together only to be told it wouldn't be required. 

Sure, I learned, but I could have learned all that information without wasting my time putting together a presentation especially given that it was not worth any marks.

Work has been a source of stress this week also.

My aim for the second third of the semester was more or less just not to give up. Now that I've come this far my strategy needs to change a little. The first thing I need to address is stress management. Sadly, the stress is not going anywhere for a while and I've eaten way too much chocolate this week in response and my exercise hasn't been at its usual level. In order to keep my energy levels even as possible, my number one priority needs to be healthy eating, exercise and getting enough sleep. 

Second priority is productivity. I'm trying to remind myself that I'll be kicking myself in 2 months time if I look back and think about all the time I spent on mucking around on Facebook or watching TV or whatever that I should have spent studying. 

Priority three is honesty. I have to be honest with myself in terms of my effort level and how much work I've done. I am equally capable of excessive self-criticism as well as convincing myself that I'm traveling alright when really I've been slacking off. 

I'm trying hard not to panic at the sheer volume of information I need to commit to memory. I haven't had to do this much rote learning ever and I'm intimidated by it. I have a practical assessment next that I am less than confident about. 

 I had a discussion this week with a wise friend who is a few years older than me regarding my future. I am starting to create something that might serve as a "light" for the end of this tumultuous tunnel I have found myself in. 

On a lighter note, in my practical class today I got to pretend to be an overbearing, panicking parent. I had a blast and had the class in stitches, channeling the plethora of skills that earned me dux of year 8 drama. Mum suggested over dinner, as a joke, that maybe I should transfer into a theatre course! 

Whilst there are many components of the course I am grappling with, my fellow students is not one of them. As much as I have been stressed, being around happy, friendly people does help a lot.