Students take different paths to finals success

With summer quickly approaching, it can be easy to slip into the surreal bliss of the end of the school year. Procrastination sounds like a better idea as the days move toward freedom; however, one more hurdle is left. Finals are the dreaded marker of the end of the year, and the reality that there is still work to be done can be hard to swallow.

Studying is a large part of the preparation that goes into finals, but this can have a negative effect on students. According to the University of Minnesota, between 1999 and 2005, a large percentage of university students who reported spending 15 hours or more a week studying ended up dropping out.

"I study for the ones that I am really worried about and don't always understand what is going on," junior bilingual elementary education major Camilo Martinez said. "I get all my detailed notes, and I read through them about as many times as I can the entire week before the test, as well as getting together with my friends in the class. If I have any questions, they can explain it to me in more detail or in a way that is more understandable."

The stress can be overwhelming with the looming perspective of such a weighty grade. Study groups and continuous review are often the main methods to digest the material; however, these concepts cannot be applied to all types of finals. Senior photography major Philip Clark does not study extensively for finals, because they do not come in the form of a written exam like most.

"The final usually involves a final project or final prints that have to be matted or presented," Clark said. "I would say they are more work, but it is spread out throughout the semester."

Being a part of other organizations or managing a job can make it difficult to prepare for finals as well. Sophomore psychology major Jenny Beard is involved with the honors program on campus, which has affected her study habits.

"I think being in the Honors College has given me the opportunity to further improve my study strategies, and the honors classes I have enrolled in have been particularly more challenging," Beard said. "However, study time is also sacrificed due to other activities I participate in as an honors student, like my undergraduate thesis."

Studies show that attendance throughout the semester also has an impact on students' potential grades. A FastWeb.com college aid says that ‘A' students miss, on average, half of one class per semester, but a ‘C' student misses on average about five classes per semester.

"I think attending class is a large contributor to doing well on the exams, because typically professors tend to emphasize the same thing in their lectures and test materials," Beard said.

Success also seems to be related to the amount of studying done before the test. While some students like Clark can get by "skimming the material," experts say that studying material over a longer period of time and making sessions small and frequent makes it easier to comprehend the material. Students are also advised to put away the books the night before the test and take time to let their minds relax before the exam.

"Preparing for final exams can drastically affect my grade," Martinez said. "Studying beforehand can mean the difference between an ‘A' or a ‘B.' On the other hand, there's also such a thing as over-studying, which can sometimes lead to me having test anxiety if the professor throws me a curveball. That's why I try to take it a little at a time."

Final exams can be scary. Libraries are packed, labs run at full blast and anxiety peaks. It is important to keep a cool head and remember the study tips: start early, make a schedule, plan breaks and sleep, take advantage of campus resources, ask for help, and keep things in perspective.

Clark has his own advice for students.

"Try not to stress," he said. "Be confident that you know your material. I always do just fine by paying attention in class."