You may have come across the word “Internecine” many times in your preparation assignments, but you are still unable to remember its meaning. Or maybe, despite your best efforts, your GRE scores are not improving. Or you find it difficult to combine GRE preparation with your studies, work, and personal life.
Do not despair at all if any of the above concerns you, or if there is some other reason that impedes progress. Here are 4 tips to help you get back to your work rhythm even before test day comes.
Take a break from everything related to taking the GRE. This will refresh your head. Completely forget about practice exercises, vocabulary flashcards, and essay tips for at least 48 hours. Do something that gives you pleasure. For example, go to the beach, visit friends, or lie in bed on Saturday. Yes, you haven't passed the test yet, but rewarding yourself for all the hard work you've already done will boost morale. Do not forget that every day you are getting closer to your goal.
When you get back to work, you will be energized again, and you will have a clearer idea of how ready you are for the GRE and what remains to be done. Also, returning to your usual work rhythm, be sure to add regular breaks and other small bonuses for your work to your preparatory schedule. Knowing exactly when the long-awaited vacation will come and not forgetting about the pleasures that it will give you, then this will help you focus on work and protect you from emotional burnout in the future.
When you’re rested and eager to get back to preparing for the GRE , make sure you are working on topics and types of questions that:
Any teacher will tell you that the main thing in preparation is a sensible approach, not diligence. In other words, you should focus on the areas of expertise that are likely to earn you points. This is much more effective than trying to prepare for 16 different things at the same time. The results of training tests will clearly demonstrate this.
You can get personal guidance from your instructor on how to improve your performance in the areas of expertise in which you are most likely to get a good score. If you are preparing yourself using books or other computer programs, then you should trust your intuition. So what topics or types of questions are constantly causing problems, judging by the work you've already done? Think and determine why they are so difficult for you. Once you figure out what the problem is, you can move on.
When you dive headlong into preparatory activities, it is very easy to forget what you need them for. Preparing for the test is not an end in itself. In fact, you are studying to go to university . Find a way to constantly remind yourself of this. Think, for example, about who you would like to work (professor, doctor, engineer) after graduation, or recall those events that awakened your desire to receive it.
One recent graduate teacher told her students that during her PhD studies, when she lost her mind, she would hum the song “Pomp and Circumstance” (the American alumni anthem) to herself. It reminded her of the simple fact that she went to school to go to university and start a career, and not to take exams at all. This composition helped her to look at things differently. In general, you should find your reminder and never part with it. Use it as often as you can so you remember that the GRE is just a step towards a hopefully long and successful post-graduate career.
You are not the first or the only one who is stressed by the thought of preparing for the GRE . More than 600,000 people take this test every year, and each of them at some point hit a wall or struggled to find time to practice. This is not unusual, so don't think that GRE overwork is a sign that your degree is too tough for you. It simply indicates that you must resort to techniques that will allow you to effectively use your powers.