Student Voices: Finals Are Upon Us

Well, folks, this is it: classes are done, and finals are upon us. Since finals in college are an entirely different business than finals in high school, let me describe it for you. Picture the amount of stress you felt right before taking the SAT. Now, extend that into a solid two-week period, and add the dizzy-tired you feel when you’re jet-lagged, and the pressure to impress professors that you seriously idolize. There you have my life right now: 2 exams (Latin and Romantic Poetry), 4 papers (Sociolinguistics, American Lit, Latin, and Cold War history), and a mock conference (Cold War again). A struggle, I admit.

Now, this may sound rather dark (and, indeed, with it getting dark at 4.30 in the afternoon and snowing, it is). But, Barnard isn’t about to leave us out in the cold, literally or metaphorically. It’s really remarkable the way the campus pulls together during finals; not only does it show how dedicated the students are to their education, but it shows how thoughtful and kind they are.

As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, on the last day of the reading period (i.e. the night before the first day of finals), Barnard serves us all tons of food in the gym for “Midnight Breakfast.” It may start with waffles and eggs, but it very quickly turns into a banana split-loud music-and-goofy hysteria party. That’s tomorrow night.

But since the stress starts well before exams do, there are a whole bunch of study breaks all this week: free coffee, various snacks, “Stressbuster” back rubs, a capella performances. It’s really quite nice—and (in terms of caffeine and chocolate) very much needed.

You may have noticed that I’m in an exceedingly good mood for someone who is basically running into a brick wall over and over again—and you’re right. I am! It’s because a student here (the artistic director of Columbia University Ballet Ensemble, one of the student-run dance groups) just gave a spontaneous ballet class for anyone who wanted to take it. And it was a very good class indeed.

To me, this is what makes this school absolutely incredible. We all go to class all day, spend hours upon hours in the library and behind laptops and textbooks, and then we can drop everything to do something we all love. Faculty and administrators are wonderful about doing everything they can to help us out, but in the end, it’s often the talented and passionate (sorry—so cliché, but so true!) students that make it happen.

Chloe Hawkey '16

I’m in awe.

And with that, it’s back to it: Rereading twenty Horace poems and reading 200 pages of Moby Dick—I can do that in one night, right?

With all best, cheerful wishes for a not-too-stressful pre-holiday season, 

Chloe 

Chloe Hawkey '16

Student Voices: Gearing Up for Finals

What sophomore, Sarah Kim, has to say about finals at Barnard...

Gearing up for Finals

They’re here. FINALS. Whether you are a first-year or a senior, finals can be the most difficult time of the semester. In most classes, finals account for a large percentage of your overall grade. I have come up a few tips that will prepare you for finals once you’re here at Barnard:

We have a Reading Week, which begins after the last day of classes, always a Monday, and lasts up to the first day of finals, always a Friday. Your final exam schedule depends on your class schedule, so you will not always have a final every day. Before Reading Week starts, you should look at your final exam schedule to make sure you don’t have two or more exams at the same time or have an exam hardship  (three exams in a 24 time period or four exams in a 24 time period). If you have either of those issues, you will have to go to the Registrar’s Office to reschedule your exams. 

Find a place to study: Spots in library filled up rapidly during finals week. It’s a good idea to figure out where you’re going to study in advance. When I can’t find a seat in the library, I usually find an empty classroom to study in, which can help you because that’d be the environment you’ll take your exams in and that can help you remember the materials you studied when you’re taking the exam. My other favorite study spots include (alternatives to campus libraries): the Hungarian Pastry Shop, 6^th floor of the Diana Center (aka the Green Room), and, the New York Public Library in Midtown. 

Create a study schedule and gather study materials:  Depending on you exam schedule and levels of difficulty of classes, you should plan what topics you will study on each day and how much time you are going to study for each class. Organize your notes, highlight important concepts in textbooks and  ask your professors any last minute questions about the material and/or exam (professors usually hold extra office hours during reading week).

Study in groups (or in pairs): I was against study groups in high school as I found them distractive and unproductive. But it has become a very important component of studying once I started college. Study groups are very effective, as you can ask your peers for clarification of concepts, and often times they help you come up with unique ways to remember things. Plus, it is very assuring to know you’re all in it together.

Most importantly, eat well and sleep: Even though finals week is the most stressful time of the semester, it is very important to make sure you eat and week. During Reading Week, there are multiple study breaks hosted by student organizations. Close your books/laptops for a few minutes and go to one. They often have tasty (and healthy) snacks, and it’s good to give your brain a break. And always remember that no matter how much you study, you won’t perform to your best abilities on exams if you don’t sleep. So please make sure you sleep! 

Just stay calm and focused, and pace yourself. You will get through finals! 

-Sarah Kim '17