Surviving dead week
During dead week, students prepare for upcoming finals while still attending normal class lectures, finishing final papers and projects, working and maintaining some level of sanity.
To cope with the influx of cramming students, the Merrill-Cazier Library has extended its hours and will be open until 1 a.m. Other department libraries and computer labs have also extended available hours.
Elizabeth Wynn, a freshman majoring in psychology, was working on a final project with Jameson Hartman, a freshman majoring in accounting, at the library on Dec. 1. Wynn and Hartman both have several upcoming exams in addition to the final project.
The need to do well in general education courses is often imperative. Some of these sections have more than 200 students. Hartman said this means professors cannot give out essays as finals, leaving students with multiple choice exams, which means the questions are “pretty chill.”
To study, Wynn said she just tries to keep up to date, while Hartman studies whenever he has free time.
“I try to study in advance, but not consistent,” Hartman said. “I run over past quizzes and tests a lot. I just pick up a book if I have free time and study then.”
Students said one of the best ways to study efficiently is to find a good place.
“I used to think the library was where the nerdy people go, but I live here,” said Kimberlee Sanders, a sophomore majoring in social work. “It’s the best place on campus.”
If the library is too full, students can try finding somewhere else on campus. Sanders said she found it difficult to study at her apartment.
“With everyone coming and going, I just can’t focus,” Sanders said.
Hartman said he has to have music wherever he studies.
“No music means it isn’t going to happen,” he said.
Some students balance working and preparing for finals. Sanders works in the course reserves section at the library and finds time to study when there are few students needing help.
“It gets busy, but Saturdays are not too bad,” she said.
Matt Palmer, a junior in mechanical engineering, works as an IT lab consultant. Palmer really likes how much his management works with the lab consultants.
“They make sure that you have enough time for class and everything,” Palmer said.
Wynn and Hartman said they find it helpful to trade-off studying and anything else.
“I’ll sit and study for a half hour or so and then go eat or do something else, then go study again,” Hartman said.
If studying gets to be too much, students find ways to let loose and focus on the upcoming break for some comfort. Wynn said she likes to work out.
“Sometimes it gives me a break,” she said.
Hartman said he shops.
“I know I’m a guy,” he said. “I just bought a bunch of ski equipment.”
He said he hopes it snows a lot over the Christmas break.
“I’m poor, but I will have a great season with all the new gear,” he said.
Sanders said she looks forward to spending Christmas with her family.
“We’re all into sports, so it’s going to be fun,” she said.
Palmer likes to go climbing. He and his roommates are spending a portion of their Christmas holiday in Las Vegas climbing Red Rock Canyon.
“I go to class, to work, study,” he said. “That usually leaves a few hours to climb.”
– staceyw259@gmail.com