As the fall semester enters December, students start thinking about finals week. While finals can be stressful for many, the Kean community has each other's backs. Whether it’s a freshman’s first semester or a senior’s last, there is always advice to help prepare for finals week.
Shane Gagnon is a student with an MPA in public service and administration, and a minor in mathematical sciences. Between course work and the responsibilities that come with multiple extracurriculars, finals week can become overwhelming for Gagnon.
“Some ways that I prepare for finals is to write down when my exams are being held, when I need to study, what I need to study, and making sure to properly communicate with my friends, family, and other people who would need to be aware of this information,” said Gagnon.
Alongside proper preparation, Gagnon has learned that it’s never too early to start studying for finals. While many push off studying for exams until the last minute, it can be helpful to start early so that students can stress less as finals week approaches.
“Make sure to use your time wisely for ways that will help you do better on exams,” said Gagnon. “I would also say to utilize the free resources that Kean provides such as the tutoring centers and your professors’ office hours.”
Jeremiah Monterio, criminal justice major with a minor in psychology, is a firm believer of sleep being a key component for conquering finals. A good night’s rest can be imperative for having high energy and a positive mindset for exams. Monterio also believes that organization can come in handy when studying.
“I like putting all my notes in a folder either on Google Drive or another utility to look over all that was thought throughout the semester. This is so that everything is in one place and organized by unit,” Monterio said.
Even though finals can be stressful and overwhelming at times, there is relief when the last one is completed. This time brings students one step closer to fulfilling their graduation goals and for setting themselves up for their future endeavors.
“The amount of relief that I get when the semester is over is unsurpassable! I usually celebrate by going out to dinner with my friends and talking about our favorite memories of what occurred during the semester,” said Monterio.
Study hard and keep up the good work, Cougars!
