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, 6th 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
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