Students | UAFS MailbagNovember 10, 2023

UAFS Mailbag: Study Tips

Written By: Ian Silvester

Welcome back to another edition of the UAFS Mailbag, Lions!

I don’t want to alarm any of you, but as of writing this, we are officially a month away from fall finals week. As I looked at my calendar the other day, I realized how close we are to this time of the semester. I was immediately transported back to my own time in college and the late nights, or all-nighters, I spent studying or finishing a project for this particular week.

Instead of adding to the panic, I hope this edition provides new ideas about when, where, and how to study to ensure a successful finals week. I reached out to the Academic Success Center, Boreham Library, TRIO Student Support Services, and the UAFS Writing Center to hear answers from staff and your fellow Lions. Here’s what I received in response:

Some favorite places to study around campus included the ASC office, the library’s 24/7 lab, a reserved library room, TRIO, or, more specifically, an empty, cold classroom in the Math Science building. I know spending more time on campus might not work with everyone’s schedule, so a few ideas for off-campus that were given included staying at home and buckling down at the kitchen table, heading down to the Bakery District, or grabbing your favorite caffeinated beverage from a coffee shop and parking yourself there for the day.

“My favorite place to study on campus would have to be the Campus Center,” said Belle Petrucci, a first-year psychology student. “It’s a great place for background noise, and Starbucks is right next door!”

The UAFS Writing Center, attached to the old gym across from the RAWC, is another excellent place to study. With lots of windows, free coffee and snacks, and a possible chance encounter with Nori, the resident support dog, the UAFS Writing Center is a great place to prepare, and you don’t need to make a reservation to use the space. While there, take advantage of tutoring sessions – appointments are required, but plenty of times are available, so no need to worry. The UAFS Writing Center offers sessions in Spanish and has tutors who can explain things to students whose first language isn’t English.

Junior biology student Jasmine Rosa says her favorite spot is the UAFS Writing Center because of its “accommodating rooms, spaces, and an environment that is just extraordinary.” She said she likes being able to change her scenery every now and then and recommends others to try it.

If you plan to spend any time at the Boreham Library, staff highly recommend booking a study room sooner rather than later. The closer the calendar gets to finals week, the less available these spaces will become. Each study room has a computer and a whiteboard to use. Don’t fret if you can’t book a room; there are still plenty of areas to hunker down and resources to check out. There are whiteboards at various locations throughout the Boreham Library; you can even borrow dry-erase markers and erasers. Plus, there are course reserves for many textbooks for short-term loans.

OK, we covered where you can study; what about when and how to study?

Responses ranged from tried-and-true methods like making study notes and flashcards or reviewing prior quizzes and homework. Others were to work with a study group or self-test. A few made me laugh: getting extra sleep – because how can you sleep during this week anyway? – and sending out prayers – your professors might prefer you to study instead.

For when to study: as much as possible. That doesn’t mean you need to plan hours-long study sessions. Instead, break things up. Quiz yourself on your way to class, at lunch, brushing your teeth, walking to class … I think you get the point I’m trying to make here. Take any opportunity to think about the lessons taught in class and the notes you made while reading and think of things that might be on your test that could trip you up.

Belle agreed, saying, “My biggest study tip is to break things up into chunks and make sure you take breaks. I like to study for 30 minutes and then take a five-minute break.”

If you are looking for extra help, check out the tutoring services at the UAFS Writing Center. The center is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. The same hours apply on Mondays, except for being online only from 7:30-9 p.m. You can use the space between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tutoring appointments can be made online and booked in half-hour or 60-minute blocks.

At the end of the day, I, like everyone else at UAFS, am rooting for you to succeed. You. Got. This.

As finals week approaches, take advantage of campus events to help you prepare and de-stress. Stop by the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center fireplace on Nov. 28 and 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to unwind and make some bad art. Supplies will be available; laughter will be contagious. On Nov. 30, from 5-10 p.m., the Long Night Against Procrastination is coming to UAFS. This international tutoring event is designed to help you prepare for finals with help, tutoring, snacks, and stress-relieving activities to remind you of all the resources available at UAFS. Stop by the Boreham Library to take advantage and not procrastinate.

Check in next week for a special edition of the UAFS Mailbag. As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday and break, hear from students and staff about what they’re thankful for. If you’d like to be featured in this edition, send me what you’re grateful for this holiday season.

Until next time,

Ian

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• Study Tips
• Writing Center
• Finals
• UAFS Mailbag
• Boreham Library
• Trio SSS
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• Academic Success Center