for the overachiever who wants the real exam to feel like a rerun
Goal
Simulate exam conditions and patch the last weak spots.
Source principle
Test yourself under real conditions before the real exam: practice retrieval, not re-reading. : from How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport.
The plan
- 🔥8:00-8:15 AMWarm-up recall: 15 min of flashcards, light not heavy.
- 🍳8:15-8:45 AMBreakfast, calm, no cramming.
- 🪑8:45-9:00 AMSet up exam conditions: no notes, no phone, no breaks.
- 🧪9:00-11:30 AMTimed mock, real conditions, no interruptions.
- ✏️11:30 AM-12:00 PMGrade harshly, mark every partial credit as zero, be brutal.
- 📋12:00-12:30 PMList every missed topic, these are the only things you study today.
- 🍽️12:30-1:00 PM30-min break, lunch, walk, no screens.
- 🛠️1:00-3:00 PMDrill the weak topics, practice problems not re-reading.
- 💧3:00-3:30 PMShort break, hydrate, stretch.
- 🧪3:30-4:00 PMSecond mini-mock: just the gap topics, 30 min timed.
- 📝4:00-4:30 PMWrite 5 takeaways: what surprised you? What's still shaky?
- 🍴6:00-7:00 PMDinner, away from the desk.
- 😴9:00 PMEarly night, sleep consolidates what you just drilled.