As the spring semester comes to a close, GCSU students begin to prepare for one of the most stressful times of the semester: finals week.
From long study sessions to last-minute projects, students across majors are finding different ways to prepare; while some face multiple cumulative exams, others may have few or none at all, depending on their coursework.
“My study strategy is to try to start a week early,” said Ellie Moore, a sophomore nursing major. “I’m looking over the material, but not super intensely. I like to start with the easy stuff because it encourages me to work towards the harder things.”
Students said they believe a skill that every college student must learn is time management. Finals week can either make or break one’s ability to manage their time well.
“I think I’m generally good at time management,” Moore said. “However, when it gets to the end of the year, it definitely gets harder, so I try to balance it by sticking to my faithful Google Calendar, which I don’t know what I’d do without.”
From hanging out with friends to spending hours in a library study room, students try to find a balance between academics and enjoying the last few weeks of the semester.
“I try to frontload my projects and papers so that the only things I need to focus on during finals week are my exams,” said Ellen Gunji, a senior art major with a studio concentration. “I make sure to take breaks by going to things like ‘Midnight Breakfast’ or by taking a walk.”
Throughout the semester, especially during finals week, students become burnt out with studying, which leads to procrastination and sometimes poor grades.
“If you have problems with studying, try using a pomodoro timer [a timer that breaks work into intervals],” Gunji said. “I like this timer because it rewards you with short, spaced-out breaks.”
During finals week, GCSU hosts several different stress relief activities for students to enjoy between exams and presentations.
“I make sure to attend events on campus because they help me de-stress during finals week and give me a break from studying,” said Alexis Walker, a senior exercise science major. “I try to give equal time to both leisure activities and studying, so I can have the best of both worlds.”
For students in need of help on a certain subject or class, professors often provide study guidance and encourage them to seek a tutor.
“I make practice quizzes and tests as well as use flashcards for terms,” Walker said. “However, I would recommend attending SI sessions and the Learning Center for additional help.”
Another tip students have is as simple as abandoning distractions that can hinder academic performance.
“The biggest tip I have is to just get ahead of the game,” said Ellie Maddox, a junior elementary education major. “Instead of wasting time on doom scrolling, try and get ahead of what you have to do.”
Overall, students wish to find a balance between their social and school lives.
“I desire to prioritize community alongside academics,” Maddox said. “The biggest help has been remembering that the fear of missing out does not always outweigh the necessity to complete an assignment.”
For students ready to ace their finals, take the advice of these experienced students and apply these strategic study skills. The Learning Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Russell Library, with extended hours during finals week.