Students Keep Confident as Finals Approach

Staff Writer

   Finals, along with sleepless nights, study days and hope, bring us closer to summer break. Keep the spirits high and the stresses low as the light at the end of the tunnel beams brighter.

   With the last day of classes being May 5, finals start May 6. The close to another school year quickly approaches with students getting ready to submit to their fate with exams.

     "It doesn’t bother me at all," junior Psychology major Penny Thorton said about having two finals in one day. Thorton said most of her exams will be multiple choice and she feels confident she will do well.

   Senior Music major Wendi Knight said she only has one final each day, but said "(I have) done absolutely nothing but study for two weeks," Knight said. “I may go bald," she said, laughing about the stress of finals. However, Knight said she feels confident she'll do well on them.

   Pre-Law student Misti Wood said she has no more than one final in a day, but she started studying at the beginning of the semester for her upcoming exams. "I’m a confident know-it-all," Wood said laughingly. Wood said she has an array of finals ranging from projects to essays.

   According to the university handbook, "Students who have three examinations scheduled on the same day may petition the Provost (David Ray) and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Debbie Bryant) for rescheduling." A student must fill out a form and get it approved, which can be taken care of in the Academic Affairs building.

   Around 1997, the Academic Council created the final schedule that the campus still follows today, with few alterations each semester. The only changes really seen are the last day of Fall 2008 schedule will become the first day of Spring 2009 schedule and so on. Each semester, the Academic Council reviews and corrects the exam schedule.

    Most students suffer from some form of stress when thinking of finals. The week entails late nights and study marathons, along with the pressure of performing well on finals.

   Laura Hughes, director of Counseling, Career and Testing Services, has handouts available to students in need of advice to reduce stress. Some advice listed on the handouts includes making a list of what needs to be done, prioritize and refine that list, do the best you can, ask for help if needed and seek tutoring. The hand-outs are available to all students by going to Hughes' office in Harris Hall Room 224 or by calling 460-1454. Students can also make appointments to talk to Hughes.

   Tips and tricks to have a healthier and happier final exam experience, according to Assistant Professor of Psychology Benjamin Brown, include taking short breaks of 15 minutes to reward yourself per hour of studying, have confidence, mental and physical preparation and adequate sleep.

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