Parkinson's Law in Korea

Every university and school reserve some time during the semester where teachers and professors are able to test the students, on their knowledge acquisition during the preceding weeks.

It is a global phenomena that students are working way more hours during exam periods than in regular study weeks. This is generally mentioned as Parkinson's Law. Parkinson's Law as commonly referenced states that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.", according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinsons_law ).

In other words, students delay 'real' studying till the death line comes closer. And since exam-periods could be seen as 'death lines', students are working harder as exam-periods are approaching.

But here in Korea it seems that Parkingson's Law is even more applicable than in the Netherlands. In my observation I attempt to state carefully that Dutch students are better able to spread the study load over the total amount of time before the exams. Better planning capabilities could be a reason that the workload during exam periods is a bit lower than for the Korean students.

I don't believe that Korean students work more or less than Dutch students (I do not say anything about effectiveness and efficiency but this is related to knowledge absorption). Dutch students absorb more knowledge during the 'normal' study weeks so there is less need to stress in the exam periods.

The main question which arise is 'what is more valuable, repetitive learning during a certain amount of weeks, or just memorizing in a shorter period of time in advance of the exam period?'. ...........what I know for sure is that I need some sleep before I make an exam and that I better be prepared in active participation in class and in studying in the weeks before the exam week.......Good luck with exam preparation! and don't forget to sleep (preferably at night ;-))