Two weeks until final exams, how will students prepare?

Another round of final exams, scheduled to begin May 10, is fast approaching, leaving students with less than two weeks to prepare. However, many students do not prepare the same way, if at all. 

According to John Limber, a member of the psychology department here at the University of New Hampshire, the longer you’re in college, the less you begin to care.  

“Yes, we know this is true,” Limber said. “Like it is stated in most textbooks, the later you’re into schooling, the less you prepare. Most studies show that seniors care less than, say, a freshman.”

With many seniors focusing on their futures, it only makes sense that their last set of finals ever is not in the forefront of their minds. Whether seniors are lining up potential jobs or just enjoying the end of their academic careers, most put school in the background for the last month or so. 

With each of these students comes a different mindset, however. All students learn differently, and it is always hard to tell which study method is best.

“Use what your instructor makes available,” Limber said, regarding the way to prepare. From study guides to old exams, Limber feels that with being “course dependent” comes success. He said he does not recommend jumping right into study groups, but first relying on course material to push through.

Sharon Tarleton, a sophomore, is sticking to the most common method when it comes to finals preparation.

“Like most people, I will just read notes from class,” Tarleton said. “I haven’t done much to prepare yet, but I don’t really have time yet either.”

For other students, finding time to study can be the most difficult thing in the entire process. From final papers to group projects, students are working hard to study and finish strong.

“For the most part, I tend to go over class notes from the semester,” sophomore Colleen Rielly said. “I will also read the textbooks from the class. Other than that, until reading days, I don’t have time to prepare because so much is due the week before finals.”

Students, though, have found that study habits change depending on the number of finals they have.

“My habits have the ability to change depending on the semester,” Rielly said. “If I have two finals on the same day, I usually start studying a few days in advance and mostly focus on the one that I believe will be more difficult. However, it can get a bit stressful.”

Finals, along with other requirements or assignments, bring added amounts of stress to a student’s life. Most feel that when they are more stressed, they do not do as well on tests and other assignments. But Limber believes stress can actually help a student in some situations. He feels that a little stress can help students fare better on their finals.

“Stress is almost always a bad thing,” Limber said. “However, a little stress for students can help them focus more and be more successful in the end. All students need to do is push through and work hard.”