Gonnabeadoctor

Tomorrow (or, actually, later today) I will take my second Chemistry midterm. I feel prepared.

But I am still prone to the following mistakes:

(1) Calculator Perception: The calculator says one thing, but I write down another. For example, earlier tonight I calculated the pressure of water vapor at 25 degrees Celsius. To find the pressure in atm, I had to divide 23.8 torr by 760 torr. My calculator said 0.031316. I wrote down 0.31316.

(2) Going Too Quickly: Two hours is more than enough to finish these exams. Yet I still have to suppress my desire to plow through them. It probably has to do with anxiety over assuming that my classmates are ahead of me. But that’s stupid. Just like in chess, there’s no advantage to going quickly. All that matters is making the right move. So if it takes a little longer, so what? As long as you finish before the two hours are up, take your time! Organize all of your data into little boxes. Check, re-check, and re-re-check all of your calculations. Make sure your overall process is sound. Why not? You have the time. Use it!

I understand Physics and Chemistry. And the more I understand them, the more I enjoy them. And if ever I have trouble with a concept, it’s because either (A) I’m not looking at it properly, or (B) I’m not looking at it long enough. Learning style and repetition are both very, very important.

I’m gonna keep this short and sweet.

I’ve hit my stride. Classes are easier, because my process is tighter. And that’s the way it’s going to stay.