Category Archives: College Counselors

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Preparing for Final Exams: Lesson 6

With final exams just around the corner, nothing is more stressful than a week full of tests and like most college students you might be wondering how on Earth are you going to get all that studying done?  PANIC!

Gotcha!

Now that I have your attention let’s get down to business.  In all honesty, nothing is worse than the vast array of final exams, especially for college freshman, or any student for that matter.  What is worse is actually understanding the final exam schedule and how to study. So, I’ve come up with a few simple steps as a suggestion to get you going.

Step 1.  Look at final exam schedule posted on the campus website or your Blackboard account and find the times your classes meet.  Cross-reference that information with your syllabus. Now block those times out on your calendar writing in the class name and FINAL EXAM, in red preferably, or your exam color.

Step 2.  Find out what kind of exam you will be taking.  In many cases your exams will be traditional tests covering the entire semester, or covering the material from the mid-term to the end of the semester and is either written, multiple choice, or a combination of both and taken in the classroom.  In other cases you may have a take-home final, a presentation, or a paper to turn in either physically or online, or, if you’re lucky, no an exam at all.

Write on your calendar the specific type of exams and what they will cover.  Mark your calendar for the take-home exam with the exact day and time it is due and when presentations and papers are due.  Add in reminders. Add in reminders. Add in reminders. (That is not a typo. Add in reminders from your midterm day forward.)  If the professor gives an option of keeping the grade you already earned with no final required, ponder the option and do what you think is best for you.  Personally, I took the grade and RAN, especially if it was a B or an A and the test could potentially bring the grade down. But, that option is entirely up to you.

Step 3. Figure out which assignment is going to take longer to prepare.  Keep in mind take home-tests are not necessarily easier.  Professors expect that the information is spot on and answers is written thoughtfully and grammatically correct. Take-home exams are normally given at the last class meeting of the semester and are due at the time the professor states, or during the scheduled final exam time by either placing the test in the professor’s box or turning it in at her office or submitting it online. Read the instructions on the exam.

If you’re not new to the college scene, or you had a rough first few semesters, or quarters, don’t bundle your nerves. Simply reorganize for next semester/quarter and start fresh.  Being a college student is like a diet, it’s a work in progress that keeps changing with new information.

Stay focused and organized, because in all honesty there is no real need to PANIC!

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Lesson 5: Keep Your Cool! It’s Only a Discussion

Many college courses, whether in a physical or virtual classroom setting, have lectures and discussions, which is unfamiliar territory for many incoming freshmen. Therefore, when defending or opposing a comment it is important to remember to always keep your cool!

In a time when emotions and immediate instinct fuel anger, keeping calm and thinking about your response before exploding in class will always keep the conversation constructive.  A differing view is important, and adamantly disagreeing is equally important, however, launching anger and exploding into a discussion, changing the tone from friendly to hostile, is never a good idea.

Instead, gently bring in your view while keeping in mind your opposition feels just as passionately about her position. Angry isn’t going to solve anything.  Remaining calm and waiting to voice an opinion with composure is like receiving an infuriating email. The longer you wait to respond, the softer your tone becomes and your answer more gratifying.

Let’s face it. In your classes people will voice ideas you’re not going to like. Anger isn’t going to change anyone’s mind, but rational conversation might persuade someone to consider a different view.

Here’s a solid rule of thumb in my classes. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.  You may not agree, nor like what is said, and you may not even respect the opinion because it goes against your every ounce of existence, but at the same time there is no need to be disrespectful. After all, it’s a class discussion.

Keep it professional. Project the respect. Interject your opinion. Add facts or references to support your view.  Remember, tone is everything.

I’m reminded of a discussion that took place in one of my undergraduate history classes, the topic was the Holocaust.  At some point in the discussion a guy from the back of the room stated, “I don’t believe the Holocaust ever happened.”  Before the professor could react an even toned female voice interjected, “I’ll mention that to my neighbor while her grandson reads the numbers tattooed on her forearm. Maybe the guy back there can tell her it never happened.”

The woman’s calm demeanor commanded the room. The air shifted allowing someone else to interject and flip the conversation; and I have a memory to share with my reader.  Had the conversation gotten angry, the memory would have been quite different.

The moral of the story is to keep calm, stay professional, and know your facts, especially when disagreeing with others.  By doing so, you will not only gain respect of your peers, but also control of the discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lesson 4:  “It’s in the Syllabus!”

Recently, I received a text message from a new high school graduate saying: “I’m at my college freshman orientation and thought of you!” Up popped a cartoon the presenter showed explaining the importance of the college syllabus and where students can find all the answers to basic course questions.

He thought of me because in my high school senior classroom I not only explain the importance of the college syllabus, but I also teach how to read it and where to find course information.  I even use my previous article, “Lesson Two: 3 Things to Know about the Syllabus,” to stress the importance of exploring and familiarizing yourself with the syllabus.

What I didn’t realize, however, was the importance of my lesson.

Referencing a college syllabus is an important skill that must be emphasized and mastered.  When I was a young undergraduate a professor said, “Master the syllabus, master the class.” Honestly, I don’t know if it’s true, but it made my college and graduate years a lot less stressful.

Therefore, I’m going to provide you with a new mantra when looking for information, because chances are it’s in the syllabus! It’s in the syllabus! It’s in the syllabus!

Here are 5 basic questions that could pop-up and I provide some scenarios.

  1. How do you get ahold of your professor? It’s in the syllabus! On the top of the first page you’ll see the professor’s name, office location, telephone number and extension, email address and website, if applicable. I like to put a red star near this section. It also might not be a bad idea to put the information in your cellphone contacts.
  1. What happens if you miss class and how will you know the assignment and get the lecture notes? It’s in the syllabus! You might ask a classmate for the notes. Keep in mind, this entire question is on you, so ask yourself why you missed class and try not to unless you are very ill, it’s an absolute emergency or it’s work related.  As a professor, I had this situation when I had emergency service personnel in my classes. In this instance these students talked to me at the beginning of the semester and we came up with a plan. Communicate with your professor immediately, especially if you have an absolute emergency! Life happens.
  1. When are exams and are they take home, multiple choice or written? It’s in the syllabus!  Note: most exams, especially take home, are written.
  1. When are papers due? It’s in the syllabus. Normally papers are due at the very beginning of class, not when you arrive 20 minutes later. (Last year, another former student emailed me stating that while in her college class a student walked in 12 minutes late and turned in a paper, the professor tossed it in the trash. The student stormed out.) Moral of the story, the beginning of class means the beginning of class, not at the beginning of when you arrive. I would also keep in mind, while some professors like papers given to them in class, others opt to have them placed in their mailbox by a certain date and time, turned in electronically using a server that locks you out at specified time, or emailed as a PDF file, again by a specific time. The date and time is important, be aware of it.  All this information is usually in the syllabus!
  1. What is the professor’s documentation requirement, MLA, APA, or Chicago? It’s in the syllabus! Every professor and discipline is different when it comes to documentation requirements. Read the syllabus.  If the answer is not there, check the actual assignment or professor’s website, or simply ask the professor. For a link to these resources, click my Resources tab.

In short, keep in mind the information you seek is usually IN THE SYLLABUS! IT’S IN THE SYLLABUS! IT’S IN THE SYLLABUS!