Thursday, December 7, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Students juggle finals, moving out of halls
Bv J.D. McKee
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
By J.D. McKee
writee@karenp.com
Students living in residence halls and scholarship halls have more than just finals to worry about—they also have to pack their things and be out of their halls by 11 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21.
21. The first time the teacher To deal with this problem, students have to juggle studying and packing.
This will be a particular problem for students who have finals on Dec. 21, the last day finals are scheduled
Sarah Johnson, Mountain Home, Ark., junior, she would stay at a friend's apartment in Lawrence rather than drive home after her last final ends at 6 p.m. on Dec. 21. She said she had driven about 6 hours on the last night of finals in previous years.
"They should stay open until the next morning." she said.
Ken Stoner, director of student housing, said student housing closed the night of finals because students rarely stayed that last night.
"We used to do that, but there was nobody in the halls," he said.
Hillary Shike, Oberlin freshman, said the end of the semester was particularly stressful for her.
"I'm transferring at the end of the semester, so I have to get all my
stuff out." she said.
Shike said she was now packing some of the stuff she wouldn't need for the rest of the semester and would take some of it to her mother's house in Hutchinson.
Stoner estimated that less than a dozen students per semester have that problem.
Stoner said if some students had problems getting out by the designated date, the department would work out problems on an individual basis.
"It doesn't happen very often, but when it does happen, we work it out with them," he said.
Omaha, Neb., sophomore Crystal Asmussen's last final ends at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 21. She said she would go home the weekend before she had to leave her scholarship hall and take as much with her as she could.
"I'll have to get a lot of packing done ahead of time," Assmussen said. "When I need a study break, I pack up more stuff."
Amsummer said it wasn't as much trouble packing things for winter break as it was for summer break.
for winter break, I don't take much home, but for spring it's a pain in the neck because you have to get everything out of there," she said.
Edited by Amy Randolph
Test anxiety can hurt students' performance
By Melissa Davis
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Many students naturally experience nervousness while preparing for and taking tests especially finals.
especially in. While some nervousness can help motivate students, too much nervousness or test anxiety could hinder a student's performance.
Tony Treu, Kansas City, Mo., freshman, said he experienced test anxiety when taking calculus tests.
Treu said taking tests in college had increased his test anxiety because they were harder.
"Math test are different," he said. "Instead of covering chapter by chapter, you cover multiple chanters simultaneously."
John Wade, psychologist at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), said anxiety before a test was normal, but that certain factors could increase anxiety.
"Anxiety is pretty typical among students," he said. "But not being prepared or feeling fatigued makes it easier for one to feel anxious in response to stress."
Wade said there were two dif-
ferent categories of test anxiety.
"You have the students that are not prepared or the people who, just in general, even if prepared, still feel anxious," he said.
treu falls into the second category.
He said he could study for hours for a test, but sometimes his mind would go blank just before it.
"I review my notes, even if I know everything," Treu said. "Even though I'm well-prepared,
BEFORE THE TEST
Be prepared.
Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam.
Approach the exam with confidence.
Don't go to the test on an empty stomach.
Allow yourself plenty of time to take the test.
Relax before the test, don't try last-minute cramming.
DURING THE TEST
DONING THE TEST Read the directions carefully.
■ If you go blank skip the question and go on.
If it's an essay test and you go blank, pick a question and start writing
— Source: University of St. Thomas Learning Center
Wade said there were ways to help overcome test anxiety.
some things just seem foreign, and I start to rush through things."
He suggested thoroughly preparing for tests, going into tests with a good attitude, getting a good night's sleep and trying to relax. Wade also suggested that students try talking positively to themselves.
Though some worry is normal, Wade said students should seek help if they experienced excessive anxiety — anxiety that could make them sick.
While Treu said he didn't get physically sick during tests, he said he sometimes did afterwards.
"I have felt sick when I received a test grade and it was bad," he said.
- Edited by Clay McCuistion
Karen Ice, customer service supervisor at the KU Bookstore in the Kansas Union, prepares the Clinique counter. The counter will open today.
Photo by Justin Schmid/KAN SAN
Union gets a Clinique makeover
By Meghan Bainum
Kansan staff writer
University of Kansas students can get new looks along with their new books.
A Clinique makeup counter opened today in the KU Bookstore in the Kansas Union. The Clinique counter offers skin and haircare products along with makeup and men's bath products.
Although Steve Rhodes, merchandise manager at the bookstore, said men weren't breaking down the walls to get at the counter, several women had asked him when the Clinique products would go on sale.
students, and said students could get their on-campus beauty fix starting today.
Rhodes said he was happy with the quick response from
"I think they've got everything," Rhodes said. "There's soaps, outdoor sunscreen, lip stick, cosmetics, haircare — everything."
The slick white and silver display was still under construction yesterday afternoon, but different sizes of bottles and canisters lined the walls.
Molly Barker, Tulisa freshman, said she was excited that she could get her favorite makeup on-campus instead of having to trek down to Massachusetts Street.
"I go to Weaver's now," she said. "But if you're already on campus, it would be a lot more convenient to come to the Union."
Rhodes said convenience for students and faculty was one of the reasons the bookstore agreed to the display when Clinique approached them last summer.
Rhodes also said there were still job positions open to work at the Clinique counter. Students interested should apply at the Personnel office on level 5 of the Union.
"We're just hoping for good things to come from it," he said. "We hope the students and faculty both see it and like it."
Rhodes said Clinique had been opening counters in college bookstores across the country. He said there was one at the University of Missouri at Columbia that had been successful.
Some non-Clinique users, like Molly Fruetel, Ridgefield, Conn., freshman, said that because the counter was on campus, she would be tempted to go into the bookstore and see the display.
"I'd go there to look at it and probably buy something," she said. "I might go just to check it out."
But others, such as Erin Beatty, Denver sophomore, said even though the Clinique counter was close, she probably still wouldn't go.
"I don't go to the Union much, and I probably wouldn't want to get a makeover in front of all the students," she said. "I'll still just go to Target."
- Edited by Kathryn Moore
Music mentors, students head to D.C.
Special to the Kansan
Bv Debra Steele
Christie Garton had a vision.
The Olathe senior wanted to show under-
privileged children the power of music.
And a year after she started the Music Mentors Society, music will take some of the students involved in the program to the nation's capital.
Eight students and seven mentors will go to Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Dec. 28 to play background music at a holiday event at the White House. The program has been raising funds for this event and will fly to Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
Garton said she wrote a letter to President Bill Clinton about Music Mentors because Clinton was a supporter of music education. Shortly after, Garton received an invitation to the White House.
"We are really excited about going to Washington." Garton said. "This is a big step for our program."
Music Mentors matches musicians at the University of Kansas with public school children who cannot afford private lessons. Garton started the program in the fall of 1999 because she had seen the positive results
music instruction had had in her life and wanted to bring that to every child with an interest and passion for music.
"I had the idea for Music Mentors my freshman year," Garton said. "I had done a lot of community service and found there weren't any programs that had music. Music Mentors is a unique program, there is nothing like it at any other universities."
Each mentor meets with his or her student for 30 minutes once a week. Students in kindergarten to ninth grade are mentored by 30 volunteers in technique, scales, class music and special projects.
the mentors, who must be enrolled at the University and have at least seven years' experience in instrument or vocal training, specialize in band or orchestra instruments, piano, guitar, percussion and vocals.
The mentors come from a variety of backgrounds, but the common thread connecting them is love and knowledge of an instrument or vocal part, Garton said.
"Kids really look up to the mentors." Garton said. "It gives them extra support and many of the students can see themselves attending college in the future."
Alice Ann Darrow, faculty adviser of Music
Mentors and director of music therapy, said the one-on-one practice helped individuals progress with their instruments. She said it taught them discipline and helped the students work toward their goals.
"I have seen a lot of dedicated KU students who have worked hard and helped these students progress with their music." Darrow said.
While they help the students, the mentors benefit from the extra practice, teaching experience and community service.
Carol Toland, Iola freshman, volunteers with Music Mentors. She plays piano, violin, mallet percussion and sings.
This semester she has been working with two students from Central Junior High, tutoring one in piano and the other in percussion.
Toland said that in the past she had worked with children in volunteer positions as well as teaching music lessons to adults. She was excited to find a program that allowed her to work with children and use music.
"It is really great to be exposed to the Lawrence school system and expand the musical opportunities that children have." Toland said.
Edited by Clay McCuistion
Celebrate the Winter Holidays
Everyone is invited! Sunday, December 10. 1-4 p.m., Spencer Museum of Art
Music, dance, winter tales by Priscilla Howe, papercrafts, refreshments, art, and more!
Play the Holiday Legends & Traditions Game- Everyone Wins!
KU Museum Shops Holiday Sale Event Dec. 8, 9, 10 20% off in all shops. 25% for members in any shop