The end of the semester is quickly approaching and students are feeling the pressure to prepare for finals week. The Cornerstone & Residential Experience focused on helping first-year students who are unfamiliar with final exams.
CoRe is a program through the College of Engineering intended to guide engineering students through their college career at MSU. Last week CoRe held its second annual “How to Prepare for Final Exams” event. Though the program was geared toward engineering majors, any first-year students were welcome to attend.
Bad weather was a concern for co-curricular director for CoRe Carmellia Davis-King, but the student turnout was better then anticipated.
“I’m really proud,” said Davis-King. “To me, it shows that there was a need for the program and that students are really looking for support to get them through this final exams stage that they’re about to take.”
With professors from different colleges at the event, students were able to hear from exam creators and administrators themselves. Specialist in chemistry Amy Pollock ap was one of the faculty members who provided information to students.
“First-year students have never been through final exams week and they don’t really know what to expect,” Pollock said. “And so hearing from people who teach the classes (and) what our expectations are, I think calms a lot of their nerves and just helps them prepare a little bit better.”
Pollock advises students to study a short amount of time every day because it will lead to less cramming and allow them to focus better.
Most students asked about exam scheduling conflicts and general study tips.
Davis-King said students shouldn’t spend too much time reviewing material they are very comfortable with.
“Go back and work on the things you don’t understand and write out a list of questions and meet with your faculty during their office hours,” Davis-King said. “We also pointed them back to the review sessions that are going to be held.”
Stress was another topic at the event, and students heard about different strategies they can use to understand and manage their stress.
“I think this will definitely help control my stress levels,” said chemical engineering freshman Jennifer Pendell. “This is my first year taking final exams so I’m pretty nervous.”
Davis-King said for some students the thought of receiving failing grades causes stress.
Students can attend counseling centers on campus to get help in coping with their stress levels, but they should ultimately seek support from their professors if they are concerned about their grades.
Davis-King said CoRe will continue to provide test prep and academic assistance to students, but next semester events will be held earlier, so students can be well prepared for midterms as well as final exams.
