Posted on Dec. 3: Surviving the exam crunch

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/exams.jpg” caption=”Writing exams”]

Like highly toned athletes on the eve of the big event, McMaster students are trading in their Nikes for notebooks as they prepare for final exams, which run from Dec. 3-16.

For some, the thought that months of classes and study may boil down to how they perform during three hours in a examination room can be a source of great stress.

The key to success on exam day will largely be determined by how well students have prepared themselves in the weeks leading up to the finals.

“University is not that much harder than high school, but there are higher expectations and a large increase in the volume of material and the speed at which its covered,” explains Peter Walsh, academic skills counselor in the Centre for Student Development (CSD). “Once you get behind, it can be difficult to catch up.”

Students who believe misery loves company may want to check out the All Night Study Program (ANSP). The service, organized by the McMaster Students Union with some generous assistance from various departments on campus, allows for 24-hour access to the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC).

During the exam period from Dec. 1-16, all floors will be accessible to students, along with the meeting rooms and the banquet hall; the first and second floors are “discussion” floors and the third floor will be for “silent study.” Four monitors will be on staff each night to ensure the space remains safe and quiet. There's room for as many as 2,000 students, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate and some snacks will be available during the wee hours of the morning.

McMaster libraries are also offering extended hours throughout the exam period for night-owl studiers.

For students who believe there's more to exam success than studying, CSD recently offered free 50-minute sessions on How to Ace Tests and Exams. These sessions debunked some of the myths of multiple choice exams, gave tips for studying and time management, and much more.

CSD also offers assistance to students who need academic accommodations and services for tests or exams, such as extra time or a reader or scribe.

The list of services offered by CSD to help students with their academics is extensive: developing study skills, study strategies, time management strategies, exam preparation, university writing skills, and more. New workshops coming in 2004 will ensure that students are better prepared than ever to survive the exam crunch.

Concludes Walsh, “The goal of our services if to give students the academic strategies to succeed at University.”