By Victor Lopez
Final exams are less than four weeks away, but Dominican staff is ready to help anxious students as they prepare for their big finals.
Most students are familiar with the experience of taking their first college final, but it is different from a high school final.
Freshman Grace Velazquez is facing her first college finals with eyes wide open. She said she thinks high school exams are currently easier than college exams.
“Finals in high school were definitely easier compared to even regular college exams,” said Velazquez. “There was more memorization than application.”
Jennifer Stockdale, director of academic success, explained if students are concerned about planning for finals, then begin planning now.
“Give yourself time and space to develop strategies that include a deliberate approach to studying,” said Stockdale.
The Academic Success Center provides academic and disability access, academic coaching, peer tutors, and Writing Fellows. The STEM center is also available for guidance.
Students have access to all these resources as they navigate themselves through finals week.
“Seeking support is not a sign that you are underperforming or struggling,” said Stockdale. “It is often a really good sign for yourself that you are being proactive in taking the steps you need.”
Stockdale also stated students should take advantage of their professors’ office hours.
Michael Purcell, director of the Wellness Center, said he thinks the best preparation, sleep, is sometimes the simplest.
“Investing in sleep is a really good investment,” said Purcell. “It helps with our cognitive performance.”
The Wellness Center will be offering wellbeing workshops on Nov. 16, 30, and Dec. 7, where students will learn about sleep, stress, and time management.
Purcell stated that the center will include drop-in single sessions for the last two weeks of the semester.
He also said this initiative will serve as an experimental approach to gather feedback from students regarding their suggestions for potential improvements in the future.
Purcell and Stockdale both emphasized the study habits students have built over the first semester as they navigate through finals. Students should know what works for them and what does not.
According to a report, finals and midterms are the number one source for creating stress on college students.
