Depending on what subject she’s studying, Southern junior Gianna Berntson will be in a different campus building this week, as she prepares for finals.
“I use Buley (Library) for math, but Engleman is strictly for English,” said Berntson, an early childhood education major. “I focus on any minor courses in Adanti (Student Center) because I like the busy-ness.”
Students at Southern Connecticut State are preparing for the most crucial time of the school year – finals week – which starts May 6. The students in JRN 200 – Basics of Journalisminterviewed more than a dozen other students to find out how they approach finals time.
Place was important for several people.
Junior biology major Brooke Keeney said she leaves Southern’s campus to be able to focus.
“I sometimes like to go to a coffee shop where it’s nice and quiet,” Keeney said.
Christian Mansfield, a senior collaborative education major, and Jordan Schiffman, a sophomore sport management major, both like to study at the Hilton C. Buley Library.
“I work in the library, I socialize in the library. It’s where I am most of the time, so it makes sense for me to do my work there,” Mansfield said.
Schiffman said if it’s noisy at the library, he will move to his room in West Campus “because I can focus better.”
Freshman data science major Charlotte Chase said studying outside of her dorm is the best way to focus and “lock in.”
Chase said, “I very deliberately make sure the study spaces I use in my dorm room aren’t used for anything else.”
Studying for finals is not a one-size-fits-all activity, as many students have different tactics and strategies in order to prepare for the big test.
Kristian Marroquin, sophomore biological anthropology major, uses a study rhyming technique. Marroquin connects flashcards with words that rhyme with the subject.
“Repetition is a really good technique for me. I keep looking over the flashcards and connect a word that rhymes so that it is easier for me to retain the information,” said Marroquin.
For Berntson, using the resources provided during class is her key to studying successfully. She said taking notes in class and “focusing on the presentation slides put on Blackboard” by her professor aids in acing her finals.
Schiffman said he uses the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services “by going there and getting help when I need it.”
Some students say working in groups is the most beneficial, while others prefer to work alone.
For junior special education major Jonathan Tressel, isolation when studying is the key to success.
Tressel said: “I usually put on soundproof headphones with ocean noises when I study. I go to the library everyday and study a bit before bed.”
Mansfield said he prefers to be around others when studying.
“I do group study sessions with my friends and try to get as much work done as possible,” said Mansfield.
When it comes time for finals, some study day-in and day-out. Others not so much.
“I’m not much of a studier,” said Robbie Porter, a senior recreation tourism hospitality and event management major, “so I hope the work I do in the upcoming weeks gets me prepared.”
Junior accounting major Chris White says he never studies for final exams because it makes him perform badly.
“I think studying causes more stress than the test,” White says. “The most I’ll do is my homework if they assign studynotes, but I don’t even use those.”
Mental health and self care are an important focus for many students.
Chrystophe Obiang Ze, a freshman nursing major, said his mental health during finals is off the roof. He’s highly nervous due to having to earn a B- or better in all his classes. He emphasized the importance of self care to prepare.
“I try my best,” said Obiang Ze, “to have a well-rested mind during a nerve-racking time.”
The students from JRN 200 who contributed reporting to this story were: Sophia Coppola, Brandon Cosgrove, Simone Dwyer, Franklin Kuhn, Nadia Morales, Keira Mulvihill, Kadisha Pierre-Louis, Michael Puglio, Mahagany Rawls, Eric Ruiz, Jr., Christian Schloemer, Joseph Spinella, Vance Upham, Saniah Wint and Travis Wright.