FINALS GUIDE
3
Students gather at various locations on campus to study for final exams. Watson and Anschutz libraries have many areas for students to study in quiet places or with groups of classmates.
KANSAN FILE. PHOTO
Students practice different study techniques
BY MICHAEL HOLTZ editor@kansan.com
The end is in sight. Summer is almost upon us - another year under our belt (as well as an Orange Bowl win and a National Championship). The only thing left between now and summer is that one week of hell; that one unavoidable week waiting for us at the end of every semester. That's right, finals week.
A week filled with animosity followed by a sense of relief, said John Intfen, Olathe sophomore. During a week that is notorious for causing stress amongst many burned out, sleep deprived, and restless students, Intfen tries to remain as relaxed as possible
throughout the week.
"As long as the finals aren't all on one day it will be pretty easy going," Intfen said. "Otherwise it becomes a long night of studying and a long day of test taking."
He's not alone. David Neidinger, St. Joseph's, Mo., freshman, agrees that stress during finals week can be avoided. For Neidinger, stress is most easily avoided by being well-prepared.
"I usually just try to study as much as I can, so I don't freak out before the test," Neidinger said. "I try to take it easy. I get a pretty good jump start on studying to minimize stress."
Neidinger said that he typically begins studying up to a week before a final exam.
He began studying Monday for several finals he has early next week - namely Calculus II, which he said will be his hardest exam.
Not everyone relies on studying a week ahead in order to have a stress free week. Ask Katie Meserko, Overland Park freshman. She said that she doesn't plan to start studying on Stop Day.
"It's not too far away, but it's not cramming," Meserko said. "I'm usually not stressed because I usually have a pretty good idea of what my grade is going to be."
Intfen pushes his studying back even further. He said that he typically starts studying the day before a morning final and the night before an afternoon final. He also said that he makes sure to get plenty of sleep and tries
to "take it easy".
"If [that] means partying, hanging out with friends, watching movies, or any combination of the two it's good to just take it easy," Intfen said.
Intfen also has a specific method he uses when it comes time to study. He said that he starts off by reading the chapters a second time while taking more hand written notes. He then proceeds to review his lecture notes and homework assignment.
Meserko and Neidinger have quite different methods they apply to minimize stress and maximize success. Meserko relies on flash cards whereas Neidinger, majoring in mechanical engineer, focuses on practice problems.
Top 10 tips for finals week
BY DIANNE SMITH dsmith@kansan.com
1. Get eight hours of sleep each night. Being sleep-deprived is similar to being drunk, and can you imagine taking a final after drinking? Naps are a good thing.
3. Leave your worries behind. Finals are the most important thing in your life right now; everything else can wait, including that pesky boyfriend or any other drama in your life.
2. Eat healthy. Eating healthy is crucial to keeping your body in tip-top shape for finals. Coffee and chocolate will not help you. Try some broccoli.
4. Know what works for you, and do it. If you know you study well in the library, go to the library. If it works better for you to lock yourself in your bedroom, then do it. If you are a morning person, then do your studying in the morning. If you're a night person, then study at night, but don't stay up too late.
5. Prioritize your studying. You don't have to study for all of your finals in one day, and your time will be better spent if you study for each test in the order that you have to take them. When one final is over, forget about it and move on to the next.
6. Don't go overboard. Remember that finals are not the end of the world and that they won't kill you. You will survive this.
Trust me.
7. Make time for study breaks. It's good for your mental health, and it will help you relieve stress. Call a friend, go work out or get something to eat.
8. Don't cram. Plan chunks of time each day to study. You'll remember the material better, plus you'll be more relaxed.
9. Be prepared. If you need a blue book, make sure to bring one. Or bring two just in case. Bring two pencils or two pens, depending on your preference and the type of test. Bring an extra eraser.
10. Wait to party until after you finish everything.It's time to concentrate on school,plus you'll have more fun celebrating if you're actually finished.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MAY 12, 2008