As we end the near of the semester, there is only one thing coming between us and our time of relaxation – FINALS WEEK.
In the wonderful world of academics, finals week can definitely be a whirlwind; but we have compiled a list of tips to help alleviate the stress.
When preparing for a math final… 
- Focus on reviewing big ideas; especially the ones that haven’t been covered in awhile.
- Put an emphasis on material that may have been missed on quizzes and exams.
- Try to identify areas of overlap in the material in an effort to avoid being repetitive in your studies.
When preparing for essay style exams…
- Talk through key points with your student – if they’re able to teach you, that’s how you know that they fully understand.
- Assist student with outlining essays. As long as they have a starting point, they are fully equipped to crank out the rest.
When dealing with a stressed student…
- Be relatable and understanding! It’s okay to start your session off with non-academic related conversation before jumping into the work.
- Spend the session making study guides as opposed to studying so that they can work on it in their own time
- Maintain positive energy!
- Consistently give encouraging and positive feedback.
Cumulative Exam Prep vs. Standard Exam Prep…
- Start studying earlier for cumulative exams. Starting weeks in advance allows for you to break the information down into smaller chunks, which is easier to learn.
- For cumulative exams, go through each chapter individually. For standard exams, focus on just that section.
- Either way, start with comfortable topics to allow your student to get in the swing of things!
The finish line is near!
In the words of the late great Nipsey Hussle… “Stay focused, keep working hard, believe in yourself (and your students), prove anyone who doubts you wrong, show up everyday, and stay motivated!”
