Heading into the last week of a semester can be an incredibly stressful time for students everywhere. It often leaves students wondering what the purpose of a final even is as they start cramming in preparation for the conclusion of their classes.
Some students procrastinate and cram the night before their big test, while others approach their deadline meticulously. Either way, the fact that finals are almost always a part of any college course is a reality that needs to be taken into perspective by both students and professors.
“The point of final exams is no different than the point of any exam, which is to test for comprehension, retention and mastery,” Professor from the College of Teacher Education, Joseph Russo said.
Even with students skipping class and putting off their studies until the last minute, the ultimate purpose of college is to provide those who attend an increased education. Final exams are a point to show the knowledge one obtained over the course of the semester.
“I can only speak for myself, but I would say that I enjoy giving finals,” Russo said. “It’s a professor’s product; it’s to see what you guys heard, what you retained and what mattered to you. If you don’t do well, we take that somewhat personally because it means we didn’t do a good job in covering that material.”
However, the fact is that students stress over their final grades constantly. The stress of finals week is unavoidable. That pressure is something that students must face.
“I feel like everybody’s minds get so foggy and clouded and nobody can think straight because everyone’s so stressed about finals,” elementary education major Lillian Nowell said. “For a lot of people, they can determine whether you pass or fail a class, so they can be very stressful.”
When asked how they handle stress, some students felt as though setting time aside in preparation would be a determining factor in the subsequent grade they receive.
“I set a study schedule and eat well. I get a lot of sleep and make time to relax,” nursing major Hannah Clapper said.
Clapper is one example, but there is a vast difference in how individual students work toward the end of the semester.
“I feel like it’s a spectrum, a lot of people just nap all of the time and procrastinate, but then there’s the really great people that have been studying for two weeks already and they have their study guides set up, everything’s color-coordinated and highlighted, and they set aside the time that they need to be successful,” Nowell said.
Whether students choose procrastination or careful planning, there are still other preparation options that can be applied to all.
“First of all, drink lots of water,” Russo said. “Water tends to lubricate the brain. Avoid alcohol and avoid a lot of caffeine. While that may energize you during final reviews, the crash that comes after it has an impact on your retention. Get fresh air. Start reviewing sooner rather than later and ask for a study guide or create your own.”
Cramming the night before is less than ideal, but it is a common issue nonetheless. As such, it is also important to prioritize sleep as students have the opportunity to pace themselves in their studies. After all, summer is only a few short days away.
“The most exciting thing to be done with finals is a break,” Nowell said. “It’s just a break from all the hard work you’ve done. It’s like a reward, getting all this time off. If you’ve done all the steps right and studied really hard and you do well on your finals, it’s really rewarding to get that grade back and see the outcome of all your work.”
By putting in the effort now, there is the hope that all college students will be able to walk away with an increased understanding of the course content that has been taught throughout the semester, even with the stress of final exams.
“We have to try to make sure it’s not all about the grade,” Russo said. “I’m not naïve, I understand it’s about the grade. But really, at the end of four years, wouldn’t you rather it be about the knowledge you gained?”
