Sidney Jones – Special to the Southern News
With only two weeks before finals commence, Sandra Gomez-Aceves, a senior journalism major, has only worked on assignment-based finals.
“I haven’t started studying for finals yet,” said Gomez-Aceves, “but I have been working on two final projects for about three weeks now.”
Because of her major, Gomez-Aceves said the type of finals she has varies.
“Every year is different when it comes to studying,” Gomez-Aceves said. “And as a journalism major, most of the finals are long term projects.”
Finals week begins on May 7 and concludes on May 12. Students now have only one week to begin studying and preparing for finals.
Jennifer Canas Betancur, a junior social work major, said her preparation has not yet begun.
“It depends on what my final is and how much needs to be done,” Canas Betancur said. “So this semester I have three presentations, a paper and one exam. I’ll be able to do that a week before it’s due.”
Gomez-Aceves said she begins her studying the week of reading day and continues until she finishes her finals.
“I usually begin preparing for finals the last week of classes and into the first week of exams,” said Gomez-Aceves. “Sometimes, if it’s a multiple choice exam versus a writing assignment, I will spend about two days before it to go over things that could be on the exam.”
Jared Labades, a sophomore athletic training major, also said he tries to prepare a week prior.
“I try the week before,” said Labades, “but it’s [most] likely to happen the day before because of how much work we get.”
Students have different ways of studying for their finals. In 2014, USA Today College created the “25 Crucial Study Tips for Finals Week” to help students. These tips included creating a to-do list and a schedule, forming a study group and even overlearning the material. For Cantas Bentancur, she said she keeps it simple when studying for finals.
“I gather all the information I need first and just look it over,” Cantas Bentancur said, “but for finals I’ll make flashcards.”
For Labades, his method for studying is preparing all the notes he has gathered throughout the semester.
Gomez-Aceves, like Canas Bentancur, said she uses flash cards, but also will make her own study guide if she needs to.
Canas Betancur said that having well written notes is the best for finals.
“I believe good notes throughout the semester and studying consistently for at least a week in advance to fully understand and remember the concept of the material will help,” said Canas Betancur.
Studying for finals is not always easy. Labades said when studying, he can get easily distracted. While Canas Betancur said not having motivation and waiting until the last minute will make studying more difficult than need be.
Southern’s Academic Success Center can help those who may have trouble. The center is located on the 3rd floor of the Hilton C. Buley Library and provides not only study spaces but tutoring and writing seminars for those that need it. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the library, from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. on Monday’s in the Farnham Programming Space, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Canas Betancur said once she starts preparing she will be positive for the upcoming finals.
“I’m confident,” said Canas Betancur, “but I know I’ll be more confident if I already started studying.”
Labades said he’s only worried about one class, the rest is simple.
“I am somewhat confident about my finals except chemistry, that will be the hardest one.” said Labades. “The other ones I expect to be easy.”
Photo Credit: Melissa Nunez
