I can’t get over how much more effort I’m putting into these exams at the moment, certainly more than the last few years anyway. Today I had a 2 hour exam for a unit which was based 100% on the exam. First off I really can’t stand this kind of unit as there’s no chance to get rid of some pressure by way of coursework or other exams. Second, the teaching for this unit finished weeks if not months (in the case of one lecturer) ago.
Ultimately it means I’ve self taught myself the unit in the last few days and actually, slightly bizarrely I think I’ve actually learnt it. I reckon I could give a fairly decent explanation of how TCP works segment by segment! Crikey, I’ve learnt something! What is really strange though is that this half of the unit is the one for which teaching (lectures) finished months ago. I guess it’s really a case of how good the handouts and the lecture slides are as to how accessible and successful revision will be. The other half of the unit was a mish mash of various networking things, poorly taught in my opinion with no handouts and not great slides. Yeah, I don’t think I’ve done quite as well on this bit of the exam!
Anyways, as I said I’m taking these exams more seriously then any I can remember. I passed up the opportunity of a BBQ last night to revise and revise hard, man made notes and all! I think there’s a good reason as well, partially my job at HP is dependant on me completing the 2nd year but it’s more than that. I think what it is, is that now there is someone else dependant on me doing well at Uni, making sure I get the job to save for a wedding etc
It’s strange but it’s definitely a carrot and not a stick to get through these exams.
Dan