Exam Update #13

VENI, VIDI, VICI... (Caesar)

I feel empty, or better, I do not feel anything at all. Don't ask me, I guess it will take some time until I realize that it is finally over!

I was not great today, but I guess because I was the last person he examined in 4 months of teaching degree exams, he was generous. I do not like "Ancient History", I find Romans and Greeks really boring - I like to go on holidays to their countries, but that is it!

But that does not matter anymore, now I pay my parents a visit and I am going to celebrate my birthday at home. My brother, sister-in-law and Natalie of course will also be in the Rhön and next week we will celebrate our exams. So a lot of things going on - and at the moment I am confident that I can postbone the next study session for the exams in July at least for a few days!

Exam Update #12

It's seems the days are getting better and better, and so do the exams.

History Didactics is a subject I never really studied, which was due to the lack of seminars with a competent lecturer or a competent person in that field at all. The professor used to have his seminars on a bench outside the library and this is true: no seminar when it's raining!!!! So I don't really know anything about teaching history in school.

My topics today were "Pictures in the history classroom" and "Memorial Didactics". It was interesting to read about the topics and I had the feeling that I really learn something I will need in the classroom.

The exam was absolutely relaxed, we laughed in between. However, the exam was extremely demanding and his questions were tough. Still, I never felt uncomfy. I was surprised when he told me afterwards that I possess "natural authority" and they expect me to be a good teacher with the ability to "grip" the students. I was a bit flattered, but happy.

But this was not all, because then he asked me if I ever considered a PHD in history didactics, he would be happy to surport me. As I have English as my second, I should give a thought about a bilingual-history-project. He told me to finish my exams, have a good bottle of wine and then think about it in a relaxed atmosphere!

... so we will see!

Exam Update #11

I don't really know what to write, a new day - a new exam. Exams and days seem to repeat themselves and I lose track of time.

Early Modern History is not really the "period" I like, but the examiner was encouragingly friendly and his questions were, well... a bit strange at the start. I started with the "Reformation in Germany" and then he went on and on and on about Humanism: What is Humanism? What does it say about the individual? What does Luther think about humanism? Where is the difference in the perception of the individual?...

Don't ask me, I was a bit blank, but fortunately I was able to show with my second topic "30-year-War" that I have profound knowledge of this period. In the end they had to stop me, as I was adding too many details. So in the end the examiners were happy, I was happy. What else could I wish for?

Now I am already studying for my next exam on Wednesday: Didactics!

Exam Update #10

Well, I am back ... back to the exam routine!

And here they are, my last 4 exams of my teaching degree. History has never really been "my" subject, but I always liked it very much. Okay, I am not too confident about my knowledge, especially my knowledge of Bavarian History. I was not born in Bavaria, I was not taught Bavarian history at school, but I have to survive an oral exam.

Okay, you can choose your topics in advance, but you never really know. I chose "Henry II. and the founding of the diocese Bamberg" and "The older clan-duchy of Bavaria and Tassilo III." I guess most of you have never heard about any of this. Believe me, I had no idea who Tassilo was I started studying last week.

The exam was alright and the atmosphere was really relaxed. Well, my examiner was a bit tired and tried not to yawn too offensively. It's great to be told that I have a good straightforward way to answer questions. So I am on the right track and they wished me luck for the rest of the exams.

So next Monday is the next day of doom: Early Modern History with the topics - "The 30-year-war" and "The Reformation".

New week, new chance - and only three more to gooooooooooooooooooo!