“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

-John Heywood

I took my first test of the semester last week. I admittedly slacked on studying, only giving myself an hour or two to memorize the information.

I came into the test feeling as confident as I ever have been. 24 hours later when a Canvas notification popped up on my phone, I was affirmed that I have nothing to worry about. I got a 98%.

I racked my brain wondering how I did so well, considering the fact that I didn’t put the work in. But then I realized that I did. I had been preparing for weeks. I read the required reading every day except for one (hence the 2% off), took handwritten notes in class and participated in each lecture.

Cramming might work for some people. You can slack off for weeks and then teach yourself the material at the midnight hour. But that doesn’t feel good.

Prepare for your tests weeks before, do a little bit of work each day, pay attention in class, come prepared and leave smarter. Hard work over a period of time pays off.

-Charlotte Shields-Rossi