on cheating

The concept of "cheating" in this country is an interesting one. Most of my friends wouldn't think twice if given the opportunity to cheat. Even the best students, if stumped by a question during an exam, will try and ask their neighbor for the answer without getting caught. Sometimes the situation is laughable (afterall, what exactly is the point of being tested if we're just going to cheat on an exam?). Other times I have complete sympathy (how can you possibly be expected to know what a lab specimen looks like if you've never even seen it before!).

But no, no matter what the circumstances I myself do not agree with cheating. Perhaps it's my western upbringing, I'm not certain. But while 90% of my class wouldn't be plagued with a guilty conscience for cheating, I would be. And yet, in our last exam I was the one person accused of cheating.

It was my own stupidity really. I have a habit of writing notes on my hands throughout the day and of course I managed to forget to wash one off before the exam. Plus the fact that the note was about exam stuff (there were some things I needed to ask about before actually entering the exam) did not help my situation. And yet it seems that my professors believed in my innocence or just had sympathy for me. I suppose whatever damage was to be done by the accusation was done during the examination itself -- who can focus on a test after being called out for something like that? I sure had trouble.

In any event I still managed to pass this last test. It seems that I have finally figured out how to pass these exams.....but I would like to do better than "just pass." Somehow I must discover how to actually do well. And as far as that goes, I'm kind of at a loss.

study food

Bic Mac + French Fries + Chocolate Milkshake = the best study food combo

Yummmmm!

thus it begins: finals period

That's right, it's more finals! I have one week, but with the "crazy" snow and classes being canceled, our study period was filled with classes! Not sure how that's going to play out, but I'm going to try and do my best to study as much as I can.

I definitely don't feel like I know this stuff yet....but with the help of some websites a friend sent me, I do slowly feel like I'm understanding things better. Now if only I could remember the details!

I discovered Grooveshark recently, so attached you will find my fun "pump-it-up" motivational music. Yes, most songs seem to be break-up songs, but what can I say? I find them motivational I guess :-) Not sure how to figure out how to make things fit in the layout here....so pardon the lack of symmetry, but I am trying!

Also, who thought that the brain was so complicated? I mean obviously it is. But seriously, I never would have guessed that all those lines have NAMES! *phew* I do have to admit that I find the cranial nerves quite fun. Not sure why....but something about being able to picture where they go and what they do is encouraging.

Off to study. And oh yeah, coffee count is steadily increasing now that a Starbucks was just opened right near my house!