For the past month or so, I’ve been gearing up for Corporate Tax – a course I’ve been both dreading and looking forward to (a strange mix, but it happened). The truth of the matter is, as some may or may not know that I haven’t finished my undegrad yet due to a plethora of good and not so good reasons and that I’ve failed this course 2 times over through a mixture of incompetence, lacklustre effort and just plain laziness.
I’ve fought hard to get back into the course indicating my desire finish this milestone in my life, and is something I want and desire very very badly. I’ve talked to friends about this many times over, and by now they probably roll their eyes at me wondering why I couldn’t finish it. That’s beyond the point is, I’m still stepping up to the plate to have one last go at it, because, after being put on probation and then being kicked out for a year, this is my absolute last chance to get that goddamned $25,000 piece of paper.
All it boils down to “succeed” in my mission is getting a measly 60%. I don’t want to over hype this for myself, but it would be a very fucking big deal for me to pass this and get it over with once and for all because I’ve got this huge chip on my shoulder for not finishing off my undergrad. It would do me a great service to my ego and in some small way to my family as well that I finished my undergrad.
Hell, I’ve read books on Learning even to become better myself, even if I take away only 1 small lesson and make it a habit in my life, it would be a worthwhile use of my time. Reading books like “What Smart Students Know” and “How to Become a Straight-A Student” have become a staple in my “studying arsenal” of sorts.
Going forward, I’ll be implementing techniques, habits and “hacks” that will reinforce and tighten my “feedback loop” through the following steps (in no particular order):
- Create a Wiki Study guide that I refine over time and can regularly contribute to and review my notes in those spare pockets of time I may have
- Oral dictation of “Big Ideas” out loud
- Asking questions in class and not being afraid to do so (it’s a big deal for me)
- Being engaged with material – ensuring that there’s no stone unturned in terms of my understanding and whittling down the problem until I actually get it, so I don’t leave anything to chance.
- Teaching it to other students if I get it
- Being aggressive and generous with the amount of time it takes to learn concepts and commit to memory.
- Putting myself in scenarios that simulate the quiz/midterm/exam experience.
That’s all I have for now, but expect more thoughts and blog posts on this matter.
