The past few weeks I have been studying pretty hard for the exams, I at one point I was thinking that actually training for a race and studying for an exam is pretty similar!
1. Both require months of preparation. More so for major exams than the minor ones.
2. Both require consistent work and are consolidation of the preparation. If in school you miss one or two lessons its fine, but if that happens every week then it won't reflect well on your grade. Similarly for triathlons. If you miss one workout its fine and there won't be an adverse effect on your overall fitness, but if every week you miss your long run then it becomes a problem come race day.
3. Training for both requires periodization. In triathlon, many people train in segments or periods relative to when the racing season is. It always starts with base building which are easy workouts that are designed to get your base up. Then as the race approaches the intensity and distances of workout changes to suit the race. I think if we were to study in the same way, it would produce pretty good results. For example between exams would be base building time where we just read our notes to understand the subject. When the exams near its time to apply those knowledge, or the base, to answering questions and to practice more.
4. "Race day" execution is extremely important. Just because your training has been going well does not mean every thing will go well come race day. Similarly, studying intensely for an exam does not guarantee an A grade. You need to race smart and do an exam with smart techniques/tricks. And when things don't go according to plan, don't panic and try to salvage what you can.
I'm hoping to apply these to my next exam especially point 3, which means I should be studying right about now to build my base. However, there is one key key difference between the two. In races, you taper to ensure that you are in the best shape come race day. In exams, if you do that, good luck to you!
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