Hello Math and Data Science Majors,
I hope you are doing well as we get closer to "dead" week and final exams. I know that this can be a stressful time of the semester, but being prepared can help reduce the stress. Thus, I want to discuss preparing for final exams.
Finals week can feel overwhelming, trust me, I’ve been there! To set yourself up for success, it’s best to start preparing early and follow a clear plan. Below are 12 key strategies adapted from The Princeton Review’s excellent guide on studying for finals. You can read the full article here for more details.
12 Steps for Effective Exam Prep
1. Make a game plan. Map out each exam date and break your study time into manageable blocks.
2. Start early. Give yourself plenty of advance notice, don’t wait until the last minute.
3. Prioritize topics. Study in this order:
- “Definitely” on the exam
- “Probably” on the exam
- “Might” be on the exam
4. Allocate more time to tough subjects. Focus first on classes you find most challenging.
5. Form a study group. Explaining concepts to peers, and vice versa, reinforces your understanding.
6. Talk it out. Verbalizing ideas can help you retain them.
7. Get creative with study aids. Use flashcards, mind maps, or educational apps.
8. Review your notes. Rewrite or highlight key points.
9. Quiz yourself. Practice with old exams, problem sets, or self-made questions.
10. Prioritize sleep. Cramming all night backfires, aim for 7–8 hours.
11. Take regular breaks. Short, scheduled pauses keep your mind fresh.
12. Fuel your brain. Snack on protein, whole grains, fruits, and plenty of water.
Tips for Exam Day
1. Check logistical details in advance
- Location & format: Remember to double-check building, room number, and whether the exam is paper-based, online, or “scantron.”
- Allowed materials: Verify what aids (formula sheets, calculators, notes) are permitted.
2. Bring your ID
- Your instructor may require a valid student ID (or photo ID) at finals, best to tuck it into your bag the night before.
3. Test-taking strategies
- First pass: Quickly scan the whole exam and budget your time.
- Flag & return: If you get stuck, mark the question and come back, don’t let one problem eat up your entire exam block.
4. Mindfulness & stress-management
- Consider a 1–2 minute breathing or stretching break right before you walk in.
- Look for free counseling or “stress-relief rooms” during finals week.
5. Post-exam reflection
- A quick self-check (What went well? What would I do differently next time?) can turn each finals experience into a better study plan for the future.
If anything comes up, illness, family emergency, or another serious issue, reach out to your course instructor as soon as possible. Most instructors can offer alternatives or make arrangements if they know early.
Good luck with your finals! You’ve got this! If you have any questions or need further guidance, don’t hesitate to contact me or your instructor.
Class Registration
The Office of the University Registrar has a lot of helpful information about registering for classes at https://registrar.unl.edu/student-resources/registration/. Here is an overview of important information about registration for the Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters.
Summer 2025
Registration: NOW – Sunday Prior to First Day of Classes For Each Summer Session
Fall 2025
Open Registration: NOW – Sunday, August 24, 2025
I am committed to your academic success and want to ensure you have the support you need - especially during the early stages of your college journey, when you’re experiencing academic challenges, or going into the final stage of your college experience. If you have required advising, you should have a hold placed on your Summer 2025 and/or Fall 2025 course registration.
Summer 2025 Advising Schedule
Staring on Monday, May 19th and throughout the Summer 2025 semester, I will taking in-person, Zoom, and phone meetings in 45-minute blocks from 8:30 am to 12:15 pm and 1:15 pm to 5:00 pm every weekday. I will not have Zoom drop-in meetings during the summer semester, and I will be working with New Student Enrollment students from May 28th to July 18th. Otherwise, I will be available this summer as you need help.
Newsletter Feedback
If you ever have questions or feedback about anything in the weekly newsletter, please let me know by shooting me an email. Sometimes, it is difficult for me to know if these emails are actually being read and/or found useful.
Best wishes, Doug
Spring 2025 Advising Schedule
I will taking in-person, Zoom, and phone meetings in 45-minute blocks from 8:30 am to 12:15 pm and 1:15 pm to 5:00 pm every weekday when I am not taking Zoom drop-in advising meetings. I will also be taking Zoom drop-in advising meetings on Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Zoom drop-in meetings are being coordinated by the College of Arts and Sciences with a schedule and a link to the Zoom room available at https://cas.unl.edu/drop-in-advising-schedule.
You can schedule a meeting with me by using the Student Success Hub via this link, by calling the College of Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center at 402-472-4190, by calling me at 402-472-4319, or by emailing me at dpellatz@unl.edu. You can find instructions for how to access and schedule meetings in the Student Success Hub system here.
Math Department Events
The Math Department has many upcoming events that might be of interest to you along with a weekly (or almost weekly) colloquium series. A listing of all upcoming Math Department events can be found at https://events.unl.edu/math/upcoming/.
CAS Student Spotlight
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