Jen Rainey | Collegio Reporter

December means the semester is almost over and the start of finals week makes most students cringe. Students across campus have been spending hours this week and throughout the semester preparing for final exams. Four such students have been studying for three finals and offer study tips to fellow students.

“I think flash cards would be a good idea,” said Keely Boston, senior in English. “Because when you write the answers out, the repetitions help you memorize it.”

Boston has finals in care and prevention of athletic injuries, coaching softball and baseball and French grammar and composition. She says she has studied an hour every day this week, usually as Christmas music plays and with a cola and popcorn.

Pinar Onal and Jason White, graduate students in MBA, prepare for final exams at Axe Library on Monday, Dec. 5. Photo by:Srikanth Korlapati/ Collegio

“I don’t know how the music helps other than maybe motivation to go home soon,” Boston said. “But the coke and popcorn give me energy to stay awake.”

Joel Ybarra advises students not to stress out. He says to look over everything that was written down and to research and apply the information. Ybarra says he typically takes out his notes and reads them thoroughly.

“Don’t stress,” said Ybarra, graduate student in communication. “And when you take your finals, just look over the questions and go through your mind all the different types of information you know about that question.”

Ybarra says he also studies with music playing in a warm room. He says the music helps him concentrate. Daniel Kilby says he also studies with music on occasion. However, he says he has to listen to classical music, or music with no lyrics.

“The fact that there are no words to conflict with what I’m reading, but still allows me a tempo for what I’m reading helps,” said Kilby, senior in communication. “I also like complete silence, because it allows me to focus and drink in the words.”

Kilby says his favorite place to study is the basement of Axe Library. Kilby says he has spent two-three hours per day in the basement studying for finals in microeconomics and research procedures. Kilby says he also has to type a paper and fill out several pages from the internship he’s had for the past nine months. He says reading the book is a key factor to passing finals.

“It sounds simple, but you would be surprised how many people don’t read their chapters,” Kilby said. “I find that if you read the summary and key points it helps. If you understand that then you’re good, but if you can’t understand it then you need to go back and reread the chapter.”

Ashlee Miller says she prefers studying in designated study areas like the study lounge in Willard Hall.

“I think group study areas help me study because everyone around me is studying,” said Miller, junior in biology. “It also helps that there’s no clock in the study lounge because then I want to look at it.”

Miller says she has finals in biology, physics and physics lab, and she spends two hours a day studying for her tests. Miller also studies with snacks because they help keep her energized. She reads her textbook more than once, writes out the notes in class and then types her notes. When these tips don’t work, she advises students to seek assistance from their professors, or find a tutor before the last week of classes.

“Having a tutor has greatly helped me this year,” Miller said.