By Rebecca Martelotti
Assistant Features Editor
The spring semester comes to a close in less than a month. With finals, assignments, and papers due, this is the time when most students stress out. For those who never got back into the swing of things after a snowy start to the semester, here are some tips to help you prepare for the final weeks of classes.
The first and most important thing students must do is to prioritize their commitments. Students will have an easier time studying by making extra time for it, and should put off any unnecessary social obligations, and trim their work schedules. A few strategically placed extra hours can make the difference between doing “okay” on finals and doing “fantastic.”
Some students have that one class, or multiple classes, where the final is based on the readings that he or she has never read. Remember that book you purchased two months ago that is collecting dust? Start reading it now. By reading the material early, students can become more familiar with the content over the next few weeks, and will not have to cram and cry the night before an exam. Start by reading a couple of chapters per week, and split the chapters up into sections. Highlight what you don’t know so you can focus on that material.
Papers are not always fun to write, and sometimes can take a lot of time to complete. For students who need help with research, grammar, or anything else, seek help in the LIU Post’s Writing Center. They work one-on-one to help develop essays by brainstorming, planning, editing, and revising.
The Writing Center is located in Humanities Hall, Room 202 and is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Students can contact the Writing Center at (516) 299-2732 and through email at Post-WC@liu.edu.
“I have gone to the Writing Center multiple times this semester to work on my English essays,” said Ryan Kelly, a senior Business Administration major. “I’m more of a math guy, so writing is not my strong point, but working on my essay with someone else helped me get an A and finish the assignment quickly.”
During finals week, the library, or any quiet place where students can focus on schoolwork, is a great resource. “I live in the library towards the end of the semester,” said Ashley Parker, a junior Psychology major. “With all the work I have, I need to be in a space that has no distractions in order to study.”
Students have many different techniques and tricks to help them prepare for finals week.
“My best study tip would be to highlight in different colors so that your notes are organized,” said Brittney Cataldo, a senior Early Childhood Education major. “I also make flashcards to help remember terms, and before I even begin studying, I make a list of the material that I want to go over and wh[en] I will study it, so I won’t spend too much time on the same [material].”
Exams begin on May 2, so students can alleviate the stress by starting to plan now. Organization, planning, and good time management can take away much of the stress of the dreaded finals week.
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