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What do you think? How do you
study for fnals?
I cram all week, about a few
hours for each class. Jesus Guinto,
a junior from Liberal
Im preparing for all my
final papers with all my notes
and materials and some all-
nighters. Alan Li, a senior
from Beijing, China
I compile my own notes and
rewrite stuff from my textbooks
in my own words. Marveen
Paransothy, a junior from Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia
I mostly just go over all
my notes and my homework.
Robert Smith, a freshman from
Olathe
I either make notecards or
an outline and then I study from
that. Kelly Burke, a junior from
Chicago, Ill.
Kayla Soper
Guinto
Li
Paransothy
Smith
Burke
Table of Contents
4.EffEctivE BrEAKS
cryptoquip
5. SudoKu
6. cryptoquip
8. Studying on
cAmpuS
9. Studying on cAmpuS
(continuEd)
10.
finAlS StrESS tEAchErS
And StudEntS
12. SudoKu
cryptoquip
14.
muSic plAyliSt for
Studying
15. croSSword
16.
rEducing diStrActionS
cryptoquip
18. SudoKu
cryptoquip
19. SudoKu
cryptoquip
3 Finals guide 2012
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Finals week is fnally in full swing, which
means less time for social activities and sleep,
and more time in the library under stress.
In order to maximize time, taking breaks
from constant studying is vital to academic
performance, and helps to refuel your mind in
order to attack the information at hand.
According to a Brainscape blog by Sruthi
Swami, the central point of a study break is
to rejuvenate the mind, and should consist
of activities that distract the brain from the
subject matter.
Tat way, Swami said, you can come back
to the material renewed and refreshed.
Before studying begins, students should
plan ahead for scheduled breaks from study.
Breaks should be set for short amounts of time
depending on the student and subject matter.
However, it is imperative that students stick
to the time allotted for the break: usually 20 to
30 minutes at a time.
Swami stressed the importance of remem-
bering to eat during study breaks, but warns
against the dangers of junk food.
Taking a break from studying to cook a
meal and sitting down away from work helps
to refresh the mind and body.
I feel like anymore, my breaks are eating
or looks at apps like iFunny. Usually Ill walk
away from the books and maybe watch TV
while I eat, said Jon Simpson, a second-year
law student from Wichita.
Exercise and physical activity ofers stim-
ulation to the brain, making studying more
efective, while also loosening up the body
during a study break.
According to an online article by Nicole
Riccardi in Points Sports Health, exercise
improves attention, speed of processing and
the ability to perform cognitive tasks.
Riccardi said the body stimulates the hor-
mone epinephrine during exercise, increasing
awareness and students ability to concentrate,
helping to improve study habits and promote
healthy bodies and minds.
[My friends and I] would try to fnd ways
to exercise and fgured we might as well do it
during a study break. Wed either go outside
and do a set distance or run on the treadmill
for 40 minutes, said Clif Brazil, a second year
law student from Chanute.
In addition, the Office of Academic
Achievement ofers various ways for students
to prepare themselves for the upcoming exams,
featuring a fnal exam planner, procrastination
prevention tools and general study tips and
test taking advice.
In the Universitys Academic Achievement
Top Ten Tips for Better Study Habits, students
should avoid faking study behavior, advising
students to take breaks to allow themselves to
daydream if they are having difculties with
concentrating.
In order to help fnish these tasks, students
should prepare prioritized to-do lists and cross
of completed tasks while studying.
For additional information on healthy and
efective study breaks, visit the KU Academic
Achievement website.
Edited by Allison Kohn
4
Finals guide 2012
AcAdemics
Prioritizing, sporadic breaks vital to studying
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As finals approach, students will be thinking
more about where to study. There are a thousand
nooks and crannies on campus, but some of the
most popular locations are Watson and Anschutz
libraries, the Kansas Union, the Underground
and group study rooms in dorms.
Dr. Mary Ann Rasnack, director of the
Academic Achievement and Access Center
(AAAC) in the basement of Strong Hall, empha-
sizes the idea that studying is different for each
and every student. She said that while some
students thrive on silent and independent study,
other students enjoy being in locations with many
others studying.
Above all, each student should do what is best
for him or her.
It depends on a couple of things, and that,
obviously, is the individual student, she said.
Noise is especially distracting. For some people,
its the movement. Other people need to know
that theyre not alone.
Anschutz LibrAry
One of the most popular study locations is
Anschutz. Travis Ryan, a senior from Overland
Park, appreciates the fact that everyone at
Anschutz is there to study.
Here, thats what everyone else is doing, he
said, so theres not too many distractions.
Junior Rachael Kerz, from Springfield, Ill.,
goes to Anschutz to get away from distractions of
her sorority house and study quietly.
Its quiet, she said. I can put my headphones
on.
Despite the benefits of studying at Anschutz,
Ryan and Kerz both admitted its drawbacks.
During finals it gets really busy, Ryan said, I
wont come here because there will be too many
people to even get a spot.
Its hard because when you know people and
you see them, its hard not to talk to them and
catch up and say hi and thats kind of distracting,
so thats kind of why I go downstairs.
Anschutz is a great place for students to study
whether theyre looking for a quiet, independent
setting or a group study session.
the underground
Another popular study destination among
students is The Underground.
Angela Figgs, a senior from Topeka, appreci-
ates the proximity of both food and socialization
when shes at the Underground.
I feel like Im more likely to bump into my
friends here, and if I want to chat with them, I
dont feel like Im disturbing anybody like I do
when Im at the library.
Though Figgs enjoys the social aspect of the
Underground, she also sees it as a drawback to be
productive and focus.
While the Underground is far more hectic
than Anschutz, the environment is just what
some students are looking for in a study space.
KAnsAn union
For students who like to study near the food,
the Kansas Union is a similar option to the
Underground.
Stephanie Beauchamp, a sophomore from
Wichita, said she appreciates both the atmo-
sphere and the resources available at the Union.
Theres not a lot of seating, which means its
very limited to the amount of people that can
come in, she said. Theres much more food
options than at the library.
Casey Miller, a junior from Hutchinson, sees
the Union similarly. He appreciates the fact that
he can stop by between classes.
I came here today while Im in between class-
es, he said, and its around lunch, so I can just
grab a bite to eat.
While Beauchamp appreciates the limited
seating, Miller wishes the main level of the Union
had more tables.
I think they could have more tables down
here for people that need to study because, a lot of
times, when you come in here, you dont see very
many spots open for people who need to put their
books on a table and write stuff down.
Beauchamps only qualm with the
Union is its tendency to be a high traffic area.
Sometimes, Ill catch people coming in and
out, and Ill stop what Im doing, and itll avert my
Allison Kite
akite@kansan.com
peace & quiet
campus offers variety of locations for studying
BrAndon smith/KAnsAn
8
FinALs guide 2012
see Jump pAGe 9
attention, and Ill just forget what Im doing.
Though the Union can get noisy, its the per-
fect place for students who like having plenty of
food and social options at their fingertips while
they study.
Watson Library
Watson library provides an atmosphere simi-
lar to that of Anschutz. However, students who
prefer Watson appreciate its lower noise levels.
Kaleb Gilmore, a senior from Hoyt, appreciates
the fact that Watson is less noisy and social than
Anschutz.
I feel like people take it more seriously here.
Chas Strobel, a senior from Wayzata, Minn.,
agrees. Its quieter than Anschutz.
Gilmore also appreciates Watsons extra space.
I get more space, he said. I sprawl and get
cozy.
Though Watson has extended hours during
the week of finals, Gilmore and Stroble both wish
Watson had longer hours all semester.
I really dont have any qualms about it other
than if it was twenty-four hours, Id love it,
Gilmore said.
Strobel also wishes he was able to check out a
MacBook charger from Watson.
You cant rent Apple chargers, he said, so
I always have to go to Anschutz to get a charger
when I forget one at home.
residence haLL study
rooms
Finally, a popular study location among
younger students is the study or conference
room on their residence hall floors. Many stu-
dents appreciate the ease of studying at home, but
according to Rasnack, removing yourself from
your living area can help you focus.
Its where you live, and filled with easy dis-
tractions and easy ways to get off task, she said.
Rasnacks main tip to studying successfully
was to find an environment where you can study
without distractions, such as your friends or
roommate or anyone else in your residence hall.
Removing yourself from distractions is the
most important thing, she said. Putting yourself
in an environment that is conducive is the next
most important thing.
There are a thousand places to study on cam-
pus and in Lawrence. Sometimes, it can be tough
for students to find that one place where they can
focus. For help getting organized or finding a
place to study, visit Dr. Rasnack and the staff of
the AAAC.
Editedby LaurenShelly
9 FinaLs guide 2012
Jump From pAGE 8
BrAndon Smith/KAnSAn
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After hours spent studying at the library,
nights of no sleep and a few deep breaths, its
here, and the only thing standing between you
and winter break is a packet of questions and a
Scantron sheet.
The word stress goes hand-
in-hand with finals, and its a
feeling that both students and
professors share during this
week.
I find final exam week to
be as stressful or more stressful
than [students] do, psychology
professor, David Holmes, said.
To watch students take an exam
just drains the blood out of me.
Holmes said he finds himself in the same
position as many other professors with the
added burden of dealing with students excep-
tional circumstances, such as getting sick or
having travel arrangements on the day of the
final.
In a Psychology 104 class of almost 1,000
students, the extenuating circumstances seem
to be pouring in steadily.
The only solution I have is to get ready very
early. Ive been getting ready for finals before
[students] even thought about it, Holmes
said.
Holmes said he has been preparing for the
final for the past two weeks, and he has all
of the pieces together. He
said finals are valuable for
gauging knowledge.
Unfortunately with
such a large class, Holmes
said he doesnt have much
of an opportunity to give
a more in-depth exam.
I think its better in
another course where we
can watch and test stu-
dents integration of a lot of material. Here I
cant do that, he said. Theres very little I can
measure on integration, that would require
essay exams, and Im not going to read a thou-
sand essays.
Zachary Dennett, a freshman from Winfield,
doesnt think that finals are a good test of
gained knowledge.
Its just a competition to see who can mem-
orize the right information the day before a
test, he said.
Although he isnt stressing for finals,
Dennett said he recognizes the importance of
performing well on them.
They will actually matter. If you fail these
tests they have consequences, he said.
Unlike Holmes, Dennett hasnt felt the pres-
sure of exams.
Theres no use being nervous for the inevi-
table, he said.
Hannah Arredondo, a junior from Parkville,
Mo., said the reliability of final exams lies in
the type of test. Although she doesnt like them,
Arredondo said she thinks short answer and
essay exams are a better reflection of what stu-
dents have learned, than multiple-choice
tests.
There have been times students who
do not study at all, end up with better scores
than those who do, she said.
Arredondo believes students have an unfor-
tunate disadvantage when it comes to test anxi-
ety.
I think professors often get nervous because
they want us to do well, but I dont think they
get nearly as nervous as students do, she said.
Emma LEGauLt
elegault@kansan.com
Exams
Professors and students dread fnals
Preparation and high expectations are apparent at both ends of the spectrum by end of semester
10
Finals guide 2012
Graphic by trEy conrad