Missy Mug
Way back in January during the first days of classes, I got out all my syllabuses and flipped to April and May on my desk calendar and penned in when my exams would be for the semester.
What used to be a distant three months away suddenly became three weeks away when April hit last week. When I ripped off the March page, sure enough, those exams were still there, lurking at the end of the month. Somehow the beginning of the semester gives you the impression that it’ll never end, and then somewhere after spring break I’m pretty sure all the professors slam down on the speed pedal and BAM it’s time for finals.
Finals are important, and it’s essential to review all the material cumulatively before finishing the course to retain and comprehend as much of it as possible. It’s understandable why most professors weight the final exam grade heavier than the other tests and assignments in the course in order to ensure that students study as much as they should. But it’s not realistic to base the majority of a 15-week course on one day. The stress alone of knowing that one test could literally make or break your grade is enough to let too much test anxiety interfere with even the subjects you know the best.
But if the structure of the courses isn’t going to change anytime soon, then it’s only fair to give students an opportunity to succeed under the given circumstances. This school year, students had only one reading day to serve as a transition from the regular semester schedule to final exams, whereas during previous years, the university typically offered two. For the people who have exams late in the schedule, having one day or two days in between doesn’t really make a difference. But for the students who have the bulk of their exams right up front, it can be a nightmare. Especially when it falls on a Tuesday. Monday is full of the usual classes, then there’s one day off and then exams start up on Wednesday. That’s a pretty quick turnaround.
Yes, students are technically studying all semester for the exam. And yes, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute. But other tests and assignments often get in the way during the last few weeks that need to be prioritized first, taking up some time that could have gladly gone to studying for finals. There’s nothing more frustrating than going through a test unprepared, not because you didn’t understand it, but because you didn’t have the time to study it.
So here’s a friendly reminder to check out your finals schedule if you haven’t already to create some kind of game plan to tackle these tests. Try your best to work ahead and use the next few weeks wisely. Regardless of how you started this semester, now’s the time for a strong finish. It’ll be worth it when you log into MyPack during the first week of May and see all those A’s lined up. Or B’s — they aren’t the worst. And hey, C’s get degrees too. But get a C because you tried your best, not because you gave up. In the words of our own Jimmy V, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
While two reading days would be beneficial, it seems that just one day will have to do. On the bright side, at least the last day of exams is that much sooner, making us just a little closer to the sunshine of summer.