As the second semester comes to a close, Bobcats amp up for the week they have prepared for all semester: finals week.
Finals week can bring trials and tribulations for both faculty and students. Faculty may face the stress of combining months of lectures into a final exam while students are tasked with projects, studying and outside organization demands.
Students may deal with the “daily effects of stress” in addition to “end-of-semester academic requirements,” an article by Timelycare states. Finals and midterms stand as the “top two sources of stress for 31% of students,” with class and workload affecting 23% and homework affecting 13%.
For first-year Bobcats, finals season may feel daunting since the academic transition from high school to college can be difficult. Atticus Harrell, a freshman studying history, has an action plan for the upcoming weeks.
“I am going to probably do studying and reviewing with peers, and then I’m crossing my fingers for other ones,” Harrell said.
Some Bobcats have confidence in crossing their fingers, but others feel inclined to spend hours studying, especially for classes they may be struggling in. Luckily for them, the Academic Achievement Center strives to help students succeed.
The AAC offers “free in-person and online tutoring, writing assistance and peer assisted learning” to students in need. Tutors range from freshmen to seniors who are trained based on the College Reading and Learning Association guidelines and practices.
Paige Boehm, a senior studying finance, tutors for the accounting introductory course, ACCT 1010. She works eight hours each week, tutoring over 100 students each semester.
“They are about to take their third exam (and) for the next two weeks they really need to focus on what they learned at the beginning because it is really going to play a part in their final exam,” Boehm said.
Boehm said she prepares students by encouraging them to ask questions and utilize additional resources, such as professors and friends.
“Just try to breathe,” Boehm said. “It is going to be OK and enjoy as much as you can; do not let (finals) consume you.”
Similar to Boehm, Hailan Klei, a junior studying business management, business analytics and entrepreneurship, is an AAC tutor for students taking algebra and calculus. She said her personal study plan includes organizing dates and setting aside time for self-care.
“I usually have a big calendar and I like to write down everything I have at the beginning of the semester and then … I usually just cross things out as I go,” Klei said.
Although AAC tutors are there to aid students with their academic needs, it is important to remember they are also tasked with finals, papers and projects. Chloe Fabricante, a third-year studying philosophy, is a tutor for the philosophy courses PHIL 1010, 1200, 1300 and 3200 and will graduate early after wrapping up her senior capstone project this semester.
“I am doing the senior seminar for the philosophy department right now, which is a metaethics and kind of action theory sort of course,” Fabricante said.
On top of completing her capstone, Fabricante is working 12 hours each week and tutoring 20 students regularly. She said preparing students for finals can be difficult depending on how the curriculum has been built throughout the semester.
“I am able to work with them, and make sure that they are comfortable with all the materials as they are building on it,” Fabricante said. “I do have students who come to me the last week before finals and that can be a lot harder to try and work with.”
Although spending countless hours studying in the Vernon R. Alden Library is inevitable, professors and AAC tutors are ready to help Bobcats take on finals season. Fabricante offered some advice for professors as they navigate students' thoughts and questions throughout the final weeks.
“Tell them about tutoring services,” Fabricante said. “So many classes have tutoring services available and professors just do not tell students about that. So, letting your students know that there is a tutor available for the course … just encouraging students to come to tutoring as soon as possible (is beneficial).”
Students interested can schedule a tutoring appointment using TracCloud or contact the ACC through their email.
