Hi Everyone,
Before he became a lawyer and started his career on Wall Street, Dad had planned to be an academic – a college professor. He had excelled as a student and Mom often talks about how unique and impressive he was – the “smartest guy” she’d ever met.
One of his killer study methods was how he would get ready for standardized tests. He would take practice tests as if they were the actual thing. Not in the kitchen with people to distract him or in front of the TV. He would create the real test environment for himself. In the couple of months building up to a test, he would wake up at 7:00 AM on Saturday, do his morning routine, shut the rest of the world out, and take the test in a confined environment (no snacks or drinks either!).
Mom first told me about this method after I had a panic attack about a test in 6th grade. I remember sitting at the dining room table and reviewing the 30-page study guide for my tech class. After just flipping through the first few pages, I quickly realized I knew nothing. Literally, nothing. I had turned my brain off the entire year and was about to face the consequences.
However, Mom calmed me down and asked a few questions. I told her I had a week (!) before the final and she devised an accelerated study plan. It basically consisted of first learning the content and then carving out time to take 2 full practice tests.
I got 100 on the test.
But then I turned into a teenager and completely forgot about this study method. I thought I could wing the rest of middle school and high school. (For those thinking of doing this, DON’T.) As I got close to the end of my junior year, however, Dad’s method suddenly came back to me.
Without consciously realizing it, I started applying it with no reminders from Mom. Advanced Placement exams just ended this past Friday, and for all of the tests, I did what Dad would have done. I woke up early on Saturdays for 4 straight weeks before the exams, went about my business, and then took a mock test.
Granted, this method requires a lot of self-discipline. Dad had tons of it. He and Mom – the most determined woman I know – have passed down this trait. As Jamie (I’m feeling a little cocky…) said in his post last week, I’ve got their drive. And this drive will carry me along the Camino walk.
Walking 200 miles over 10 days calls for a lot of self-discipline. It’s easy to spend all of your energy in one or two days, with nothing left in the tank after that. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and keep asking, “are we there yet?” (which hopefully I won’t be doing too much). It’s easy for things to go south.
I think having Dad’s drive and discipline will allow me to take it one day at a time, for ten days in a row. I won’t get ahead of myself or let myself fall behind. I’ll do my best to encourage Will, Maggie, and Mom to keep going. We’ll need to build each other up.
There will be so many moving parts (literally!) that I'll need to be on my A game, both mentally and physically. That’s why I’m using Dad’s preparation method right now. In the remaining weeks before the walk, I’ll be getting up early on weekends and taking very long walks, just like the real thing. You have to be prepared (as Mom keeps reminding me) so I get how vital it is to just train, train, train.
It’s funny because I’m saying this now, but when I actually have to wake up early every day on the trail, I’m sure I’ll be using some colorful language (sorry, Mom!). It won’t be because I don’t want to walk. It will be because I’m a teenager who needs sleep. I lost a lot of sleep during my junior year and I know I’ll need to make up for it. With the Camino trip right after school ends, I’ll have to postpone my sleep marathon until after the walk.
The next month of preparation won't be the easiest, but that’s ok – I understand what I’ve gotten myself into. And I know your support will carry me through. Whether it’s reading the blogs or donating to the fundraiser, your investment into my journey will give me tons of extra motivation to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Until next week!
Amazing, thank you for sharing