Working Out My Body and Mind by Naaila

Working Out My Body and Mind by Naaila - May 2016 Scholarship Essay

Sweaty palms. Racing heart. A queasy feeling in the stomach. Extreme stress. All symptoms that lead to the diagnosis: Finals preparation. These are the exact feelings I was undergoing last week as I prepped for my exams in ecology, organic chemistry, and microbiology. Unlike the tests littered throughout the semester, these three exams constituted almost 45% of the overall grade and were approximately three hours long. Furthermore, the exams were back to back with one falling each day in the week. How could I possibly pack into my brain an entire four months-worth of information in a few days? The idea seems impossible. However, the most efficient study method that may have been the reason for my success in conquering these finals was a tactic I call, exercise-studying.
Exercise-studying is when I take my notes to the gym and read them constantly as I work out on the elliptical. Exercise-studying can also entail recording my voice reading my notes and listening to the tracks on repeat when I go for a run. Exercise-studying can also involve one of my buddies quizzing me on material as I do weights. I had essentially incorporated learning into my daily workouts so that I was not only keeping myself in physical shape but also mental shape.
Now, the study method may seem not productive because exercise can appear like a distraction. However, for me, whenever I work out my body I get this peaceful feeling in my mind. All thoughts and anxious emotions clear and I get this sense of ease and focus. My mind can undergo molding without distraction and I feel like I should take advantage of that blank canvas. That is why I seize the opportunity and incorporate my studies into my workouts. It not only saves me time, but also I can utilize those two hours constructively by trying to conquer a difficult piece of material for Micro or memorize some more reactions for Ochem. Exercising is a chance to occupy my body with something to do so I can free up my mind to learn. And so far I have maintained this approach and it has proven very beneficial for me in my finals the last two years at Clarion University.
Finals is always a time of dread for me. I always feel as if I am ill-prepared, will make silly mistakes, and am never going to be as good as my class mates. However, when I am running or doing weights all those feelings of inadequacy vanish and I feel calm, confident, and powerful. I feel like I can conquer the mountains of information if I push my body just a little harder. I feel as if little pieces of knowledge cannot miss my eye because I am so focused. Exercise is my weapon to battling finals and I recommend it to anyone who needs to fight that last week of school.