FINALS GUIDE
3
EXAMS
Finals week doesn't have to be agonizing
By keeping good study habits and using resources the University provides, students can alleviate the stress of exams
BY BARBARA PLATTS bplatts@kansan.com
Many students agonize over finals week, when they are tested on their knowledge of the courses they have taken during the semester.
"Finals are not meant to be a punishment;"
said Ingrid Peterson, the director of the Kansas Algebra Program. "It's so you can solidify the concepts you've learned."
Final exams might not be a punishment, as many students view them, but finals week is a demanding time. Students have to recall all the information they were taught and force it back into memory.
Students handle finals week in different ways depending on their studying habits and their exam schedules.
Alissa Waller, Holdrege, Neb., freshman admitted to cramming before her finals.
"I have definitely spent days without sleep during finals," Waller said. "I tend to leave everything until the last minute — that's where the caffeine comes in."
"Good study habits throughout the semester make finals a lot easier."
Students are under a large amount of stress
INGRID PETERSON KAP director
during finals but fortunately there are ways to make studying a bit easier. Peterson said cramming was generally not the best method for studying.
"You can't wait until Stop Day to start studying," Peterson said. "Good study habits throughout the semester make finals a lot easier, but if you put studying off
then finals week will be much harder."
To make studying easier, Peterson suggested study groups.
"The more you can talk about what you
5 finals tips
1. Spread out your studying sessions.
2. Cramming doesn't work unless there is some understanding.
3. Find a study group.
4. Don't study more than two hours without taking some kind of break.
5. Eat right, exercise and sleep.
are learning, the more you will understand it," Peterson said.
For students who are looking for extra help with their finals, the University offers tutoring help at the Academic Achievement and Access Center. Kristen Scott, associate director of the AAAC, said the center was open throughout the
school year to help students with their classes. She said the center tended to get busier when students are dealing with finals, however.
Scott said the main goal of the center was to help students achieve their personal goals.
"We want students to attain their own academic goals and have the students finish the semester at their very best," Scott said.
One thing both Peterson and Scott advised was taking short breaks during long study sessions.
"Sometimes students study so long that they can't absorb information anymore," Scott said. "Breaks help refresh your mind."
Many students agree that breaks are important for long study periods, even when there is a lot of work to be done. Erin Ross, Harper freshman, said she tried to schedule breaks in her studying.
"I study a lot. But giving yourself a break is important," Ross said. "You have to reward yourself sometimes."
Edited by Casey Miles
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MAY 11,2009