No sleep, a diet of solely coffee and a wardrobe of Lululemon pants and Patagonia fleeces; it is officially finals week. Finals week is the week that every collegiate dreads, filled with long hours in Fondren when the only thing you can think about is Winter Break. Surviving finals week seems impossible but there is a way to do it. Vicki Hill, Director of the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (ALEC), shared her knowledge of not only surviving but succeeding on finals.
1. What is the goal of the ALEC?
This is our mission statement: Our mission is to help students become more independent, self-confident, and efficient learners who are able to respond effectively to specific academic challenges, to articulate their own educational goals, and to succeed at any level of the undergraduate curriculum.
2. Who are the tutors in the center?
SMU students, mostly undergraduate, who have done exceptionally well in their own classes and are committed to helping other students do so as well.
3. Is there a different tutoring schedule for finals week?
Yes. We tutor only in the evenings during finals week, and a reduced number of tutors are available. Our tutors are taking finals as well.
4. What is your best tip for students going into finals week?
Stay healthy. Get enough sleep.
5. For those students who are looking to improve their study habits next semester, what would you recommend?
Students who are really disappointed in their fall grades may want to consider enrolling in our one-credit Success Strategies course (HDEV1111). Everyone can improve their time management and organizational skills. We have counselors available by appointment to help with that.