Finals are right around the corner here at Conn, and while we still have a few classes left, our students are gearing up for those big time exams and papers. Here are some of our survival tips for finals week:
Conn definitely does finals differently than other schools because of our Honor Code, so many of us end up having self-scheduled and take-home exams, as well as lots of essays. For the take-home exams, make sure you plan the best time and place where you know you’ll be the most comfortable and focused; based on experience, I recommend taking your exam in an empty classroom on campus for a quiet and calm space.
For others loaded with tons of writing assignments like me, space these out! Don’t try to write an entire essay each writing day or during finals because that will burn you out. Start brainstorming each essay ahead of time, then go through and do parts of the assignments each day. If you get sick of researching for or writing one, then switch to the next. It will go by a lot faster than writing an entire essay for hours in one sitting.
And I know the library gets packed during finals and if you don’t want to work in your room, but most of the classrooms are open during the week so you and a group of students can claim one and work in those!
- Maria Sell ‘23
Make lists! When finals time rolls around, the walls of my room slowly become covered in sticky notes and white sheets of lined paper, filled with each step I need to complete before I can finally breathe again. For exams, I write down exactly what I need to do to study and feel prepared: “read through notes,” “make study guide,” “redo problem set…” etc. For papers, I write down every section that needs to be written. Then, when I complete a certain step, I draw a big line through the words. And, it feels absolutely incredible. I highly recommend making physical lists, which help you stay organized, and show you exactly what’s left before the hardest weeks of the year are finally over.
- Lara Beckius ‘24