Hello Math Majors,
I know that Finals Weeks is a very busy time for you, and I wanted to give you a few tips that I have found helpful during past final exam weeks.
1. Create a schedule of your study time. Before diving into your materials, have an idea of what subject you want to study, how long you'll study for and which material is most important for the exam. Prioritize which exams you think will be more difficult and note others that may be easier to study for.
2. Use your resources. Most resource centers will still be open during finals week, and the study groups that you have working with all semester should still be a helpful way to study. Don't forget about other on campus resources like the Adele Learning Commons and the Math Major Lounge.
3. Check in with your professor. You've spent the whole semester working together, so don't bail out now. Your professor is a great resource to learn what is going to be on the exam, important topics to study and what the exam will be like.
4. Study for the type of exam you're taking. Is the exam multiple choice? Will you need to write an essay? Take a moment to learn what you're up against, and then focus on the best information for that type of exam. Specific concepts and definitions are typically the focus of multiple choice questions, while you'll need to know broad concepts and examples for essays!
5. Unplug. It's fun to check out the latest stories on Snapchat, escape to another corner of the world on Instagram, or see what's happening on Twitter, but all of that distracts you from actually studying. Keep distractions at a minimum to get the most out of your study session.
6. Don't forget about your well-being. Final exams can be stressful, but try to remember not to get too caught up in the rush. Get plenty of sleep, take short study breaks, and always remember that you have on campus resources if you feel overwhelmed.
7. Don't study all night long. Studies have shown that a full night's sleep and rest after a study session leads to better retention of the material. Your brain needs that sleep time to unplug, digest, and organize the material that you have just learned.
8. Tips from my personal mistakes: always use the restroom before going into your exam, bring more materials to the exam than you need (i.e., extra pencils, pens, calculators, etc.), and leave your house, apartment, or dorm room with plenty of time to make it to your exam.
If you have questions or concerns, I'm here to help, so please contact me or come see me if you need assistance with anything this week.
Thanks,
Doug
Advising Hours
I will still be advising students during finals week and the week after finals until the end of the day on Wednesday, December 19, and my advising hours will remain:
Appointments: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays except during walk-in hours
Walk-ins: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
I will return to my office on Wednesday, January 2, and I will announcement my Spring 2019 advising hours in my first email message to you. If you can't make it in for a meeting, you are always welcome to email me with any questions that you have.