There is a myriad of things that need to be done in our lives leading up to finals week(s). Many of you are planning vacations and get-togethers with friends and family members, but the holidays only come after the end of the semester, and while it’s exciting to be this close, try and remember that there is still work to be done. As of the time of this writing I have just completed a final for one of my classes, but I still have four more to go, so I still have work to do.
Some things that I would recommend for the upcoming final weeks are very basic everyday things that you should remember to be mindful of:
Do your work as soon as possible – This is very much a case of “Do as I say, not as I do.” I am not very time efficient, and I don’t know if that will ever change, but I’m trying, and if you are as well, then that is what counts.
If you do your work as soon as possible, you can go to sleep early. Cramming and doing all-nighters is a no go for finals because there is a lot of crucial work to be completed and grinding through the night hours to get assignments completed is never ideal, no matter how much you try and convince yourself it is; like, I’m not your dad or anything, but maybe consider getting some sleep, I know that I will be getting as much as possible this week.
Going to bed early will help you to be well rested at an earlier time in the morning, and with this you can get breakfast or pack lunch. Eating breakfast or packing lunch is very important, and while I don’t usually partake in the former, I cannot deny its bonuses. I work my longest shift on Mondays, which is right after my Algebra class, so I hope that you can imagine that a packed lunch is sometimes the highlight of the day; although, I do enjoy my job and my coworker’s company, (I wasn’t forced to say that, just so you know), but sometimes a packed lunch just hits different.
Go to class. If ever you have the thought that you don’t have time for class because you need that time to study, toss that thought out the door; the last days before the end of the semester are often imperative to passing your classes, unless you are at a point where you physically cannot fail – which for most of us is not the case – than going to class is important, at least it was, and has been for me during my summer class final, and now during this time of finals.
If ever you cannot physically go to class, try and communicate with your instructors, email them and let them know if you cannot be there, and see if you can get a test on a different day, or some notes from the lecture. Asking can be hard sometimes, and instructors can be intimidating, but ultimately, they are here to teach, and to help us learn, so most of them would be happy to help with any inconveniences that might arise in your life.
Utilize campus resources like tutoring and study areas; the Yeater building has many places to study, like the Proctor library, and Cyber Café, as well as the tutoring center, and you can study in there even if you are not in a tutoring session. Speaking of tutoring, check out the tutoring center in the Yeater building, and see the front door for the availability of each of our tutors. Food Pantry & Caring Closet (FP&CC) are also available to be used, and for the FP&CC, there is more info in an earlier blog which can be viewed here: https://www.sfccmo.edu/communications/2021/07/19/what-are-the-food-pantry-caring-closet/
And finally, please don’t stress. You can only do your best, and often, your best is enough.
Written by Webster Brown IV.
About the Author
Howdy! I‘m Webster, and I am a new student here at State Fair Community College. I have lived in Sedalia for nearly all my life, and I am working towards an AA Transfer degree from SFCC. When I transfer, I want to major in Criminal Justice. I am a new work-study at Student Success, and I am also a Trio student. I consider myself a very approachable person, and maybe through these blogs I can show that to be true. I hope these blogs can provide some practical advice from a new student to other new students and help you to succeed on your SFCC journey. If at all possible, I hope that these blogs can also help returning students as well, and maybe you can help me learn too!
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