Day -2

I am in apathy. I'm trying to find a reason for life again. And what was bothering me the most - what is it to be a great person? Is it to achieve something, to gain respect, or to be independent? What a man should do to become one? Will he be great only because people think of him that way or will he be great in his own mind? What is the greatness on the whole? Philosophic question, huh?
Ok, now about the things that I should really think about now.
How to write a composition based on several poems:
1. Read them and think of what you see there, what the author tried to tell with this.
2. Mark the most important words and lines in poems.
3. Read the list of themes of all poet's works. Point problems that were raised in given poems (if you don't know them). Check it.
4. Keep in mind that everybody is going to write about same things. So your thoughts are really valuable here.
5. Time to get down to work.
a) Take one theme and analyze given poems to match the theme.
b) Think of what to write in general about all the poems you have now and about every poem alone.
c) Try to make a plan - which part will go after another one.
d) After the plan is ready and checked for logical lines you should make up phrases or sentences to "glue" parts - so that it will look as finished harmonious work.

That's it. Aha. I have 4 poets and writers. About 30-40 themes on each one. And I haven't done a theme yet.
I'm quite sure I should have begun a month ago. Or - wait - I have had another problems back then. Ok, now I have to put up with this. I'm kind of tired of "hard" work as I have been doing no brain work for a week.
Today was like a "Nothing matters" stage.

How to Prepare for Exams

Here are a few links that I find useful on the subject.

Here is very good advice. Much of it, really. It is like overall plan with a few details.
This page is about the experience of high-scorers of some tests. The article has a few good ideas.
On the site of state university in New York there is info on stress, anxiety and emotions and how to change/overcome them.
On How-to-Do site kinda personal thoughts about college tests.

How to be ill

Or better say - how not to be ill. Especially in March, when you do not know whether it is spring already or still a winter.
Illness is no good when you should be healthy and ready for your heroic deeds. So, here are advices that, I hope, will help you to prevent such a disaster.

1. A stitch in time saves nine. Believe me. Put your hat and scarf on to make a head, neck and chest warm. Do not let your ears to be cold (that also goes to any other part of your body). But if you feel anything that lets you think you are going to be with a temperature in bed in a day or two - be sure to take care of yourself.
   
2. So, you have a sore throat? There is a simple and working method. Drink something hot - tea, milk, chocolate... -> then take a glass of warm water with salt or baking soda or them together and gargle your throat -> do not drink for 8-15 minutes after gargling. And of course, keep yourself warm.
3. You feel ill. Do not panic =) Take aspirin (I take it frequently just to be sure everything is ok, aspirin makes me feel better when first symptoms of flu or cold show up). It is better to take aspirin with milk. Drink more water or whatever you want, just be sure it is hot or warm. It is like illness is going away from your body with water.
   
4. Before you go to sleep drink something hot again. Warm milk with honey would be perfect. Do not forget aspirin and - yes - socks. Your legs are the first to be warm.
   
5. Sleep more. It helps.
6. If you know you shouldn't go anywhere - stay in bed for a day or two (if needed). We are all people, after all. And remember the first rule - better prevent than cure for a non-progressive week.
   
7. If you have a temperature better see a doctor. I have paracetamol in tablets or lemon Teraflu (with paracetamol in powder). And, hell, stay in bed! That means no sitting at the computer/watching TV/reading the whole book.
   

Being ill is not a thing you want to do, right? It is better to spend this time learning or going out with friends, no doubt.

I hope, that was helpful. Do you have any other ideas? Please, be free to comment.