My view:
Final exams bring both anxiety and relief
by Alex Roach, posted Dec. 17, 2008
There are three things that college parties and final exams have in common: late nights, not much rest, and people consuming the strongest energy drink on the market. While we’d all rather be attending a college party, final exams could ultimately determine our course in the future. Along with those exams comes the hardest thing of all … studying. How do we prepare ourselves for this endeavor?
One of the most difficult challenges is leaving enough time to study. You need time to be able to take in the knowledge you receive from the course. Constant cramming for a test is too common among college students. We stay up all night the day before a test, memorize the material, apply it to the test the next morning, and then we forget it. This seems to be the easiest way to ace a test, but it actually puts more stress on us physically, emotionally and mentally.
Have you ever had a pop quiz over material that you were actually familiar with? Preparation will ensure success. It’s always a relief because there is no stress or anxiety involved, and you’re probably one of the first people finished.
There can be extra stress on students who are on academic probation or in jeopardy of losing a scholarship or financial aid during finals season. I should know, because I am one of those students. The obligation is even stronger, and at times the stress can be so intense that one gives up before he or she has begun.
I do believe there are some positive aspects to this time of the year too. After all, it is the end of another semester and the beginning of a break from hard work. It’s a time of relaxation, if only for a little while. We all want the best grades on our finals, and we hope to obtain just a bit of luck while we sit up all night and consume every piece of information we can before the next morning.
With all the stress and pressure that finals week brings with it, it can all be cured with preparation. We must remember that luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
Students on MU’s campus have found many ways to prepare for their final. Some even rely on their faith to sustain.
“I’m just going to pray about it,” said MU sophomore Jasmine Brown. “There’s so much to be done, and I’m just going to place it in God’s hands and hope for the best.”
Others students have chosen to go with the traditional route of preparation.
“I’m ready to be up late nights all week,” said MU sophomore Jarred Hopkins. “It’s going to be tough, but if I want these A’s, then this is what I have to do. My efforts will be my worthwhile.”
