By Christina Lépine – Staff Writer

As class attendance declines and the library increases in popularity, there is a noticeable change of mood for all students as we gear up for final examinations. For some, these examinations are part of the last ones we will ever take in Denver Gym, for others, these are the first and most stressful exams ever taken. As a part of the former category of students, here are a few tips and tricks I have gathered through my time here to survive final examinations

Study tips and tricks

Since starting my undergraduate studies, I have developed impressive procrastinating skills, often pushing assignments and study sessions to the very last minute and I have noticed competition from many others. If you are a part of the students who usually start working on assignments and studying for exams ahead of time, you can ignore this first tip. If not, my advice is to start planning ahead of exams and due dates. This will leave you enough time to book appointments with the Writing Centre to review assignments or to ask questions to your professor to better understand projects.

This leads me to my second piece of advice: take advantage of all the services available on campus! The Writing Centre offers support for reviewing papers and essays, while Student Accessibility Services provides counseling, accessibility accommodations, and exam recommendations. Academic Coaching and Peer Academic Coaching with Katie Bibbs are also available to help you succeed. The Student Success Centre provides study guides, time management tips, and more. You can even book tutoring sessions through the Nimbus tutoring app to prepare for exams. Additionally, the SRC is hosting Study Halls in the Library from Sunday, Dec. 8, to Wednesday, Dec. 18, extending the library’s operating hours by two hours each night. 

My third advice is to ask questions to your professors. We often assume that asking questions about final examinations or assignments will create the impression that we were inattentive in class, or that we did not consult the course outline correctly. You are not alone if you believe that guidelines for exams might be unclear, and you are not expected to know everything. Ask your questions in class or stop by your professors’ offices during their office hours. 

Embracing the fun times

Although this time is very stressful for all university students, it is also a time of celebration. This is the end of the semester, we are approaching a longer break, and we all get to see our families again. It is still important to enjoy this time of year. Attend the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3 at 6:30 pm in the Quad, stop by the Gait on Dec. 5 from 10am to 2pm to get a free Exam Care Package, attend one of the holiday activities organized at the BUnited Peer Support Centre, or schedule a study session with friends with coffee at the library, Faro, or Bekkah’s Bakery. Take some breaks during your study sessions to enjoy these Bishop’s gems and good luck on your final exams and assignments!