ATAR Notes: Forum

National Education => General National Education Discussion => Topic started by: Stick on June 03, 2012, 02:18:19 pm

Title: Sore hand
Post by: Stick on June 03, 2012, 02:18:19 pm
With my Unit 1 VCE exams just around the corner, I've been working through lots of revision material. Although, my hand is starting to hurt and its affecting my ability to write. What can I do to overcome this?
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: WhoTookMyUsername on June 03, 2012, 03:02:07 pm
be less keen
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: AllAboutTheLGs on June 03, 2012, 03:03:16 pm
^ other alternatives include resting said hand in a bed of ice in order to prevent burnout. Save your motivation for next year when it counts!
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Greatness on June 03, 2012, 03:04:43 pm
Too much of a bit of ahh ummm...... You know where this is going.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 03, 2012, 03:37:49 pm
Write less - think more
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: abeybaby on June 03, 2012, 03:52:44 pm
one of my friends used to tape a heavy eraser to the top of his pen when writing prior to year 12 - it made his hand stronger and since he got used to writing with a weight, he wrote super fast when he took it off.
never tried it myself, but he loved it...
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: tram on June 03, 2012, 03:58:46 pm
one of my friends used to tape a heavy eraser to the top of his pen when writing prior to year 12 - it made his hand stronger and since he got used to writing with a weight, he wrote super fast when he took it off.
never tried it myself, but he loved it...

Plus it was great for us, we never had to bother bringing a rubber :P

In all seriousness though two points

1) You'll get used to it. The only way to increase your endurance is practice. I'm sure abes can fill us in here with an analogy to his lifting

2) Try the inverse tactic to what abes' and my friend did, try writing with a lighter pen/pencil
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Mr. Study on June 03, 2012, 03:59:09 pm
one of my friends used to tape a heavy eraser to the top of his pen when writing prior to year 12 - it made his hand stronger and since he got used to writing with a weight, he wrote super fast when he took it off.
never tried it myself, but he loved it...

Sounds like he was doing a DBZ sort of training... for his hands. ;)
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 03, 2012, 04:10:10 pm
Reminds me of Piccolo and his weighted clothing! D:
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: abeybaby on June 03, 2012, 04:46:22 pm
one of my friends used to tape a heavy eraser to the top of his pen when writing prior to year 12 - it made his hand stronger and since he got used to writing with a weight, he wrote super fast when he took it off.
never tried it myself, but he loved it...

Plus it was great for us, we never had to bother bringing a rubber :P

In all seriousness though two points

1) You'll get used to it. The only way to increase your endurance is practice. I'm sure abes can fill us in here with an analogy to his lifting

2) Try the inverse tactic to what abes' and my friend did, try writing with a lighter pen/pencil


lol nivae ALWAYS had a rubber taped to his pens :P

and yes, you get MUCH stronger quite quickly at the start :)
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Stick on June 03, 2012, 06:01:19 pm
What can I do if I get a cramp in the exam?
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 03, 2012, 06:04:55 pm
What can I do if I get a cramp in the exam?

Stretch your hand, curse your hand, hit it, shake it, take a break, write with your other hand, idk, depends what you find helps
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: abeybaby on June 03, 2012, 10:15:52 pm
What can I do if I get a cramp in the exam?

eat a banana before your exam, that should help with preventing cramps :)
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 03, 2012, 11:43:23 pm
take jack3d before the exam, that stuff makes it impossible to feel tired
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: taiga on June 04, 2012, 12:00:17 am
I was going to make a suggestion, then I realized I'm an admin or some shit so it wouldn't be appropriate
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Surgeon on June 04, 2012, 12:11:16 am
take jack3d before the exam, that stuff makes it impossible to feel tired

I would love to see someone take an exam after ingesting Jack3d lol.

Who thinks I should?
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 04, 2012, 12:25:06 am
I would love to see someone take an exam after ingesting Jack3d lol.

Who thinks I should?

do it for a practice exam and tell us how you go!
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Hutchoo on June 04, 2012, 12:43:44 am
I would love to see someone take an exam after ingesting Jack3d lol.

Who thinks I should?


do it for a practice exam and tell us how you go!

//and people wonder why it's getting banned in Australia.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Surgeon on June 04, 2012, 12:57:44 am
I would love to see someone take an exam after ingesting Jack3d lol.

Who thinks I should?


do it for a practice exam and tell us how you go!

//and people wonder why it's getting banned in Australia.

Hence some people are stocking up on it! ;)
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 04, 2012, 03:18:26 am
Not gonna get into this discussion here, but I just think banning jack3d is stupid, so many other things are worse for you and they're still allowed.

To take the argument to the extreme, if obesity is as much of a problem as it is - I don't see why they just don't ban foods with high fat content or force everyone to exercise - we're that much of a nanny state.

I reckon, the truth is, there are always those who will use stuff as jack3d in a way that is appropriate, and the truth is, most people who choose to use it will use it appropriately. It's just like most of us drink alcohol (cough, Mao, cough), but surely we're not chronic abusers, similarly, most of us would eat foods with high fat content every now and then, yet we are not obese, just like how we have been to Crown or place bets on sports, but are not chronic and problem gamblers....(except for taiga that is - he's a problem gambler except he wins)

In my eyes, most of the time, most people act appropriately and care for their health, it always seems to be that there are always a few stupid ones who ruin it for everyone else.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: CaiTheHuman on June 04, 2012, 03:22:27 am
*inserts fap joke*.

But in all seriously. I've written to the point after an exam where my hand looks so dreadfully red and likes it been bashed by a hammer. You know how i did it. My relative inserts a small needle near the at some point of my arm or hand to prevent the message of pain getting through.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: abeybaby on June 04, 2012, 08:06:09 am
*inserts fap joke*.

But in all seriously. I've written to the point after an exam where my hand looks so dreadfully red and likes it been bashed by a hammer. You know how i did it. My relative inserts a small needle near the at some point of my arm or hand to prevent the message of pain getting through.

That's either mind-numbingly stupid, or mind-blowingly brilliant... I genuinely dont know which...
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: JellyDonut on June 04, 2012, 03:15:52 pm
take jack3d before the exam, that stuff makes it impossible to feel tired

You also experience a crash after the effects wear off. But that's okay, just take more of it. It's like fixing a hangover with booze
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Surgeon on June 04, 2012, 03:20:37 pm
take jack3d before the exam, that stuff makes it impossible to feel tired

You also experience a crash after the effects wear off. But that's okay, just take more of it. It's like fixing a hangover with booze

I wonder what the hangover you would eventually experience if you kept drinking away your hangover would be like haha.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 04, 2012, 03:51:53 pm
I wonder what the hangover you would eventually experience if you kept drinking away your hangover would be like haha.

Ethanol -> Acetaldehyde -> Acetate -> (TCA Cycle) -> Carbon Dioxide + Water

This is the process of alcohol metabolism in the liver, which generates NADH from NAD+. Due to negative feedback, the excess NADH will inhibit the processes of glycolysis and the TCA Ccle will be inhibited, and as a result, acetyl CoA will go towards ketogenesis, in order to produce acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybuterate. The reason why this happens is that the brain has 2 energy sources, glucose and ketones, without glucose being available, it must go to ketones. (Gluconeogenesis is inhibited as a rsult of pyruvate being converted to lactic acid - thus hypoglycaemia).

Furthermore, the excess NADH will cause pyruvate to convert to lactate, as it uses up NADH, thus, lactic acid will eventually be releaed into the blood stream.

Thus, excessive consumption of alcohol will cause hypoglycaemia, hence, feeling tired, as well as lactic acidosis and keto-acidosis, which means that essentially, you will die if you consume that much alcohol.

Lipogenesis is also favoured because it uses up NADH and acetyl-CoA, so if you drink you will also become fat.

Sometimes I wonder why I still drink :P But it's ok, I know how to inject myself with bicarbonate in case I undergo acidosis :P
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: charmanderp on June 04, 2012, 03:52:40 pm
Paul, you just won life :p
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: pi on June 04, 2012, 04:19:19 pm
Show-off Paul :P


Disappointed that you didn't bring out MEOS though...
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 04, 2012, 04:41:06 pm
Show-off Paul :P


Disappointed that you didn't bring out MEOS though...

Well it's pretty much standard knowledge for us, so meh :P answered the question :P

Idk, don't think MEOS is so relevant here, it's for chronic alcoholism, and the increase in resting energy usage, if you drink repeatedly, you'd die before you reach that stage :P
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Stick on June 04, 2012, 09:34:22 pm
Sigh… was actually hoping for some genuine help here. I guess I'll take what I can.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: dilks on June 04, 2012, 09:40:40 pm
Sigh… was actually hoping for some genuine help here. I guess I'll take what I can.

If the problem is bad enough (it can't "just hurt a little" mind you I think usually there needs to be a real medical problem associated with writing with that hand for long periods of time, or an otherwise severe amount of pain/impairment to writing speed) then you can get special exam arrangements which will allow you to opt for extra writing time and/or rest breaks during the exam.

Edit: I forgot to mention that you will need a doctor's certificate.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: pi on June 04, 2012, 10:14:53 pm
Sigh… was actually hoping for some genuine help here. I guess I'll take what I can.

If the problem is bad enough (it can't "just hurt a little" mind you I think usually there needs to be a real medical problem associated with writing with that hand for long periods of time, or an otherwise severe amount of pain/impairment to writing speed) then you can get special exam arrangements which will allow you to opt for extra writing time and/or rest breaks during the exam.


This reminds of this: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/student-challenges-ruling-on-her-hsc-20120427-1xq32.html


Hence the solution? Sue VCAA :P
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 04, 2012, 11:06:25 pm
Sigh… was actually hoping for some genuine help here. I guess I'll take what I can.

What do you mean by genuine help, like I'm just a little confused as to what you want, like do you want to know how to train your hand, or to reduce the pain when it occurs, or what?

Like I would help, but I'm just not sure what you're after, because apart from complaining about your hand, you haven't really given any pointers as to what you want :P
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Stick on June 05, 2012, 05:09:14 pm
Any advice would be helpful. Today my hand literally died on me in Chemistry class. I had to wait a couple of minutes before I was able to write again. Lol, maybe I am going over the top. ^^
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Surgeon on June 05, 2012, 05:39:40 pm
You've got Unit 1 exams, I don't see why you should be so concerned. Just massage the affected area, wear a compression glove or something.

I've got my Chem exam next Wednesday and I've been bed ridden since last night. I've got Pertussis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I'm constantly tired and although I slept for almost 24 hours, I'm not rejuvenated in any way.

My body feels very heavy - I can barely lift my own body weight, I'm feeling high of my medications, my whole body is sore, I've got a temperature and I can barely keep my eyes open for more than a minute let alone concentrate on anything.

This message alone took me almost 15 minutes to write..
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: pi on June 05, 2012, 05:42:03 pm
You've got Unit 1 exams, I don't see why you should be so concerned. Just massage the affected area, wear a compression glove or something.

I've got my Chem exam next Wednesday and I've been bed ridden since last night. I've got Pertussis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I'm constantly tired and although I slept for almost 24 hours, I'm not rejuvenated in any way.

My body feels very heavy - I can barely lift my own body weight, I'm feeling high of my medications, my whole body is sore, I've got a temperature and I can barely keep my eyes open for more than a minute let alone concentrate on anything.

This message alone took me almost 15 minutes to write..

:O :(

Hope you get better Surgeon! From tutes, pertussis (whooping cough) definitely does not seem like fun :(
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: paulsterio on June 05, 2012, 06:50:31 pm
Surgeon, didn't you get the vaccine for pertussis, or did you get the resistant strain? :\
Get well soon buddy, but be glad that it's now rather than on the day of the exam!

Any advice would be helpful. Today my hand literally died on me in Chemistry class. I had to wait a couple of minutes before I was able to write again. Lol, maybe I am going over the top. ^^

I reckon just shake it out and take about a minute break, seriously though, just try to grip your pen with less force.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Surgeon on June 06, 2012, 03:33:06 pm
Thanks guys. It's definitely not fun.

I've pretty much been sleeping non stop since Monday evening with the exceptions being getting up to take medications, eat/drink and go to the bathroom. Still just as tired as I was on Monday night :(

Not sure if I've had the injection.

Hopefully I'm better before the exam.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Stick on June 06, 2012, 05:54:20 pm
I hope you feel better, Surgeon. I'm sorry if I come across as someone who is just completely complaining over a minuscule problems. I really wish that you will be fighting fit for your midyears next week. :)
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: ecvkcuf on June 06, 2012, 06:55:14 pm
You've got Unit 1 exams, I don't see why you should be so concerned. Just massage the affected area, wear a compression glove or something.

I've got my Chem exam next Wednesday and I've been bed ridden since last night. I've got Pertussis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I'm constantly tired and although I slept for almost 24 hours, I'm not rejuvenated in any way.

My body feels very heavy - I can barely lift my own body weight, I'm feeling high of my medications, my whole body is sore, I've got a temperature and I can barely keep my eyes open for more than a minute let alone concentrate on anything.

This message alone took me almost 15 minutes to write..

Wow! Get well soon buddy. Hope everything goes well.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Iniquity on June 10, 2012, 10:15:08 pm
Wish you both the best of luck for your midyears, Stick and Surgeon! Hopefully any issues will have a minimal impact on your results. :)

With the sore hand thing - that used to happen to me all the time (I was obsessed with drawing, lol). I've found that sticking your hand into cold water (or applying an icepack or something), holding it there for a few seconds, and then repeating the process with hot water helps to relax the muscles a bit. Tried it out after eavesdropping on a convo someone had with a P.E. teacher about hot-cold showers... :P

You can also try creams to numb muscle pain, which would be much more convenient for SACs/exams.

Aside from that, you can try switching pens to thinner/thicker ones at regular intervals, so your hand isn't always in the exact same position. If you find you tend to grip the pen too hard, try getting those squishy grip things. Never used them, but they might help.

Just going to throw in some pen suggestions as well, while I'm at it. :D Writing is so much easier when you have a good pen! I've found that these and the black/blue version of these are quite easy to write with, since there isn't much drag on the page, but it's all down to personal preference.

But ultimately, you need to rest! I know that studying is important, but your health is much more so. If you really, really feel as though you still want to study, then read your notes; there's no point doing heaps of work, only to be unable to write properly in the SAC/exam.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Starlight on June 10, 2012, 10:19:58 pm
Re: Topic

You should see my crippled hand now with exam study! I swear this pen ink has stained my hand forever.
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Starlight on June 10, 2012, 10:21:16 pm
Wish you both the best of luck for your midyears, Stick and Surgeon! Hopefully any issues will have a minimal impact on your results. :)

With the sore hand thing - that used to happen to me all the time (I was obsessed with drawing, lol). I've found that sticking your hand into cold water (or applying an icepack or something), holding it there for a few seconds, and then repeating the process with hot water helps to relax the muscles a bit. Tried it out after eavesdropping on a convo someone had with a P.E. teacher about hot-cold showers... :P

You can also try creams to numb muscle pain, which would be much more convenient for SACs/exams.

Aside from that, you can try switching pens to thinner/thicker ones at regular intervals, so your hand isn't always in the exact same position. If you find you tend to grip the pen too hard, try getting those squishy grip things. Never used them, but they might help.

Just going to throw in some pen suggestions as well, while I'm at it. :D Writing is so much easier when you have a good pen! I've found that these and the black/blue version of these are quite easy to write with, since there isn't much drag on the page, but it's all down to personal preference.

But ultimately, you need to rest! I know that studying is important, but your health is much more so. If you really, really feel as though you still want to study, then read your notes; there's no point doing heaps of work, only to be unable to write properly in the SAC/exam.

That is some good advice! :)
Title: Re: Sore hand
Post by: Iniquity on June 10, 2012, 10:24:25 pm
Wish you both the best of luck for your midyears, Stick and Surgeon! Hopefully any issues will have a minimal impact on your results. :)

With the sore hand thing - that used to happen to me all the time (I was obsessed with drawing, lol). I've found that sticking your hand into cold water (or applying an icepack or something), holding it there for a few seconds, and then repeating the process with hot water helps to relax the muscles a bit. Tried it out after eavesdropping on a convo someone had with a P.E. teacher about hot-cold showers... :P

You can also try creams to numb muscle pain, which would be much more convenient for SACs/exams.

Aside from that, you can try switching pens to thinner/thicker ones at regular intervals, so your hand isn't always in the exact same position. If you find you tend to grip the pen too hard, try getting those squishy grip things. Never used them, but they might help.

Just going to throw in some pen suggestions as well, while I'm at it. :D Writing is so much easier when you have a good pen! I've found that these and the black/blue version of these are quite easy to write with, since there isn't much drag on the page, but it's all down to personal preference.

But ultimately, you need to rest! I know that studying is important, but your health is much more so. If you really, really feel as though you still want to study, then read your notes; there's no point doing heaps of work, only to be unable to write properly in the SAC/exam.

That is some good advice! :)

Thanks, hope it helps someone out =]