PHIL 3160 – Philosophy of Happiness

What is it, how can we best pursue it, why should we? Supporting the study of these and related questions at Middle Tennessee State University and beyond. "Examining the concept of human happiness and its application in everyday living as discussed since antiquity by philosophers, psychologists, writers, spiritual leaders, and contributors to pop culture."

Monday, October 25, 2021

How to prepare for an exam

How to prepare for an exam: relax

If you want really to do your best in an examination, fling away the book the day before, say to yourself, “I won’t waste another minute on this miserable thing, and I don’t care an iota whether I succeed or not.” Say this sincerely, and feel it; and go out and play, or go to bed and sleep, and I am sure the results next day will encourage you to use the method permanently. William James, “Gospel of Relaxation"

If you’ve been up all night cramming, in other words, good luck. You’ll need it. But if you’ve been diligent, have steeped yourself in the subject all semester long, and either went out to play or to an early bed the night before, your luck will be the residue of design. You’ll do fine. Relax.

But don’t try too hard to relax.
It is needless to say that that is not the way to do it. The way to do it, paradoxical as it may seem, is genuinely not to care whether you are doing it or not.


Care later. On exam day just show up and do your best.

6 comments:

  1. I always found this to be largely true. I never stayed up past 10pm studying for an exam and did better for having rested that night before the exam.

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    Replies
    1. I tried once in grad school to pull an all-nighter and finish a paper. Horrible experience. Never again.

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  2. I’ve always been a huge supporter of the “Just Relax” method. Seem to alleviate a lot of anxiety. Though, the cramming method hasn’t failed me either. I just don’t see it as healthy.

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  3. I feel like no matter how hard I try to use this method, it will literally never work for me. I can't make myself "just relax" and the closer to test time it gets, the worse I get.

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  4. Fascinated by this because, although I have never seen this suggestion (which I love) by James, a very similar mindset popped into my head this week regarding finishing my presentation.

    I think I did an absolutely terrific job of embarrassing myself during the first half, so this time, I decided to just not really think about it ahead of time, and see what happens.

    Great minds think alike I suppose.

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