December 2, 2011
Reading Period & Finals
Dear first-years,
Classes observing Reading Period end next Wednesday, December 7, and finals run from December 16-21. This week's email reviews the final exam policy and offers a few tips for getting through your first finals period in one piece. First, though, a reminder about the Meiklejohn survey.
* Meiklejohn Survey *
If you haven't already, please help us out by popping into the Meiklejohn survey to tell us about your advising experience with your Meiklejohn. The survey is completely confidential, and gives us vital information for continuing to improve advising for first-year students: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/88BYTFH
* Final Exam Attendance Policy *
The Dean of the College Office is responsible for determining whether or not a student's absence from a final examination is excused. Students are excused from exams only for family or medical emergencies. Deans Stephen Lassonde, Kathleen McSharry, and Carol Cohen, the deans authorized to grant exam excuses, will evaluate emergency situations and determine whether or not an exam excuse is warranted. Course instructors are notified of exam excuses granted by the Dean of the College Office.
* Doing well on Finals *
Final exams are stressful for everyone, but there are ways to minimize your stress and enhance your chances of doing well. Below are a few tips on how to do that.
- Create a study schedule. Use a calendar to block out your final exam times along with any remaining final assignments. Then carve out reasonable chunks of study time for each of your exams and final projects. Remember that you will recall information more effectively if you study for shorter periods of times over several days.
- Eat well. Your body and brain need fuel to get through exam week. Don't skip meals, and don't skimp on the protein. A little bit of caffeine during the early part of the day can help you focus, but caffeine in the later afternoon or early evening can mess with your sleep schedule and leave you ragged and less sharp on exam day.
- Get some exercise. Exercise works out stress and gives your mind and body a breather from studying.
If you find that you need more intensive support during reading period or final exams, the academic and student life deans are happy to help you. You can drop by University Hall between 10 and 4 on weekdays to see an academic dean; to see a student life dean, call 401/863-3145 between 8:30 and 5.
We wish you all the best during your finals!
The Advising Team