Few things strike fear in the hearts of students more than “And don’t forget that you have a final exam.” Well, maybe “Sorry, but there is no wifi,” may be a scarier statement for most students, but we faculty know that students look upon final exam week with dread.
No doubt, you have noticed that your own student has become a little busier and maybe even a little more stressed these days as the the days until the upcoming break are winding down and the workload is winding up.
While you cannot take the tests for them, you can help them prepare to tackle those last few assignments and tests. And maybe you can help them minimize the inevitable stress of the end of term.
Here is a series of questions that you can share with them to get them organized and prepared for the workload.
- What assignments do you have to complete before you take the final? Professors usually ask for additional end-of-course assignments leading up to a final so they can grade everything in time.
- What is on the final? Is it comprehensive or cumulative–does it cover the entire term’s content? Or is it over a specific and smaller amount of material?
- What is the final’s form? Is it a multiple-choice test, an essay, a presentation? Different types of final exams call for different types of preparation.
- How much is the final worth? Does the final have the ability to greatly affect your student’s overall grade? If the final is worth 50% of the overall grade, it can make or break your student’s final average. If it is worth 10%, it can move your student’s grade up or down a letter grade.
- Where and when will the final exam take place? Silly question, right? I have seen too many good students get their exam times and locations mixed up. A 10:00 a.m. MWF class may have a final on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m.
These questions can help you guide your student’s planning process for the next few weeks so that they can make the most of the limited days they have left in the semester.
