another one bites the dust

Angel says that I have to post. but I'm not really sure what to write. I did some studying this weekend, although not as much as I would have liked. but it was a relatively fun weekend, so I guess that's ok. friday night we said goodbye to James, the first casualty of grad school. although many people threatened to leave during the past year, he is the only one who is actually doing it. and although I don't usually like quitters, I understand why James has to leave and he is making the right decision. he needs to be happy and he definitely wasn't happy here (or as happy as he should be anyway). he will be missed, but hopefully he will come and visit sometime. :)

I came to a realization today: no matter how much I study, there will still be more I could do. I think that is the main difference between this test and every other test I have ever taken (except maybe the gre). with a normal test, you know what topics will be covered and you can study those and practice those problems and it will probably be ok. but this is completely different. there are way too many things that could be on the test to actually fully prepare for all of them. and, I guess the point is, is that you're not expected to get 100% on it. you only need to get 50%. that may not sound like a lot, but because you have no idea what is on it, it makes it very difficult to make sure that you study the right types of things. but even then, it comes down to dumb luck, if the problems on the test happen to be ones that you have studied (or similar type ones at least). and that just doesn't make me feel good about studying. someone said all this test really is is a test of how much time you put into studying. once you put in enough time, (assuming you understand what you are studying) you will pass. so the only thing to do it to keep studying.