2008 Woodie Awards
Devil's Advocate
Weekly advice with a devilish twist
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Features
Dear Devil's Advocate,
I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box, but I work really hard to get good grades in school. My friends all seem to get good grades without even trying or studying at all. I know that some people understand things easier and most of the time I don't mind. But, it gets on my nerves when they all go out and have fun on a Wednesday night and I am stuck in the library studying for hours. They always tell me that I need to get out and have some fun. The thing is, I know that if I don't study as much as I do for this one class, I will get an F in it. I feel like a loser when I don't go out with them though. Should I just loosen up and have fun?
Sincerely,
Nerdy Narissa
Dear Narissa,
I feel your pain. I, too, am not the juiciest apple on the tree, if you know what I mean. Doing well in school is important and so, it's important that you take the time to study. It is also important to allow yourself some free time to let loose and to ditch the books for a while.
There are some aspects of your life you could change to create an even balance of academics and social life. Schedule yourself time during the middle of the week where you can hang out with your friends. "Friend time" should be just as important as "study time". All work and no play is a bad idea all around because it can affect your happiness, and well-being. Your friends should understand that it is harder for you to retain information and try to help you, not harass you. Make sure you also remember to include time for yourself every day for at least an hour.
It is important that you take time to focus on your own needs and wants, in order to make sure you body and mind are up for rigorous studying.
Also, make sure to remember the difference between working hard and working smart. Working hard means you study for long hours and stay up until 4 AM writing a paper. Working smart means you use your time effectively and in such a way that you do not need to study until the wee hours of the morning.
I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box, but I work really hard to get good grades in school. My friends all seem to get good grades without even trying or studying at all. I know that some people understand things easier and most of the time I don't mind. But, it gets on my nerves when they all go out and have fun on a Wednesday night and I am stuck in the library studying for hours. They always tell me that I need to get out and have some fun. The thing is, I know that if I don't study as much as I do for this one class, I will get an F in it. I feel like a loser when I don't go out with them though. Should I just loosen up and have fun?
Sincerely,
Nerdy Narissa
Dear Narissa,
I feel your pain. I, too, am not the juiciest apple on the tree, if you know what I mean. Doing well in school is important and so, it's important that you take the time to study. It is also important to allow yourself some free time to let loose and to ditch the books for a while.
There are some aspects of your life you could change to create an even balance of academics and social life. Schedule yourself time during the middle of the week where you can hang out with your friends. "Friend time" should be just as important as "study time". All work and no play is a bad idea all around because it can affect your happiness, and well-being. Your friends should understand that it is harder for you to retain information and try to help you, not harass you. Make sure you also remember to include time for yourself every day for at least an hour.
It is important that you take time to focus on your own needs and wants, in order to make sure you body and mind are up for rigorous studying.
Also, make sure to remember the difference between working hard and working smart. Working hard means you study for long hours and stay up until 4 AM writing a paper. Working smart means you use your time effectively and in such a way that you do not need to study until the wee hours of the morning.
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