Yep. Tears. In my chair’s office today. Sigh. I’m just so tired, and struggling to get a handle on the last of my exam prep. I’m just so ready to be done with this part of the process, and it is only beginning.
I came home, cleared my head (by filling it with a pretty standard rom-com type movie), and now I’m curled up here on the couch with Boh, working through possibilities for the big chunk of writing I’m going to produce (ready or not) for part one of my comprehensive exams.
I have not been doing a very good job of letting off steam this week — and I need to be better, especially if I am going to do my best work come Tuesday. (Maybe that means I’ll actually finish that sock?)
Thanks for all the encouragement here in blogland, folks. Back to it.
(Apologies for the crappy phone pictures — I couldn’t bear to move Boh in order to retrieve my camera…)
barefoot rooster 
With the caveats that I haven’t had to take prelims yet (although I do have a language proficiency exam on Tuesday, coincidentally) and everyone’s method is different, I recommend trying to take it easy now. I find that my best bet with exams is to go in as relaxed as possible, with my brain clear, especially when it’s one drawing on a broader than usual body of knowledge. You know the stuff, and I, at least, find that it surfaces better if I’m not tense.
Oh hang in there Amy! Exhaustion and sleep deprivation can be nasty. We’re rooting for you. You go girl!
{{Hugs}} . You can do it. One day at a time.
Sit down, breath deep. DO NOT pray for strenght, you will get the situations to cause you to develope strenght. Take Boh for a walk. Have a beer. Take a really long hot shower/bath. Do nothing for one evening. Just do nothing. Go to bed early. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel if you allow yourself an evening…Trust me. You are in my prayers and meditations.
Hugs. It’ll be over soon. You can do it.
Hang in there, exams and studying are very stressful. Hope you can take a break soon
Oh, I think Angelia has some wonderful ideas. I agree with them all. We’re all rooting for you! Grad school is a special form of endurance and torture but you’ll make it!! Plus, Boh is counting on you :)
Keep going! You’ll make it! Hugs from over the pond…
Take comfort in the easy, innocent relaxation of Boh. Pets are good for that.
Hang in there, Rooster! I totally know how you’re feeling, bar exam prep is coming to mind, as that involved many tears and mini-breakdowns. You can do this! Make sure to treat yourself to something special each day, whether it’s a delicious sushi roll, or a walk someplace scenic–it will help! Pulling for you!
Oh no! Many well-wishes to you, and most importantly, be good to YOU – get a fancy dinner, make sure you sleep enough, take time to read something else, etc.
Sending you magic unicorn strength vibes! xox (no germs)
You can do it!!! You’re in the place you are for a reason and, though you’re exhausted now, you have more than enough intellect and brain power for these exams. I think you did the right thing by clearing your head with something silly and snuggling up with Boh (haven’t pets been proven to reduce blood pressure?). Keep taking little breaks and treating yourself to things each day. You’ll be done soon! And you’re going to have a huge internet cheerleading section come Tuesday sending out good vibes for you…that’s got to count for something, right?
Sounds like you and Boh need a nice walk somewhere this weekend to clear your head. Hang in there. You can do this!!
The tears are a form of letting of steam. You seem to have a lot of good advice from the others. I agree with them. It will be over soon and we all are rooting fot you love.
Hang in there! It’ll be over before you know it, and it’ll feel so good. Also, Boh might be the most adorable thing ever. =)
Exam prep is so stressful – I remember many, many tears during mine. But you can do it! And it will feel so, so good once you do.
Isn’t the love of a dog healing? Thinking of you!