Finals beckon students to library

Christmas seems like it is just around the corner, and yet the worst time of the semester is even closer.

Students all across campus are finishing up last-minute projects, papers and exams before the final push arrives. Luckily there is a little break and a lot of turkey before final exams start.

Students have varying study techniques. Some pull all-nighters, and some plot out their studying far in advance of test dates. Others use study days as a party break and show up to exams on a hope and a prayer.

Christine Dibianca, senior in interior design, said she likes to be proactive with her studying.

“I like to plan out my reading and work ahead of time so that I can get it done in a timely manner,” Dibianca said. “I just don’t like to be overwhelmed the closer an exam gets.”

Megan Barrowclough, junior in exercise science, takes the same approach in order to reduce stress levels.

“It’s always more effective for me to do my studying in advance,” Barrowclough said. “If I have five chapters to read, I try to plan it out to where I read a chapter a night, so that I’m not stressed the night before an exam.”

Brian Gray, senior in biochemistry and molecular biology, sighed at the fact that final exam time is not that much different from the rest of the semester.

“I mean, I practically live at the library anyways, so finals aren’t that much different,” Gray said. “They just add a lot more stress which I try to counter with a lot more coffee.”

Some students plan out studying techniques far in advance and like to stick to habits that have helped them achieve success in the past.

Ashley Shoemaker, junior in political science, likes the idea of study guides to help her conquer all of the material.

“I’m planning on making a lot of study guides and organizing notes and spending lots of time in the library,” she said.

Fortunately for students, the library has been more aware of student needs this semester and has managed to fight budget issues in order to stay open until 3 a.m. As always, the library will remain open 24 hours starting Nov. 30.

Barbara Dewey, dean of libraries, was glad of the change and felt that it was much needed.

“The libraries decided to expand hours after requests from student leadership and from students on the Dean of Libraries and the Provost’s student advisory committees,” Dewey said. “Our decision was also based on the heavy late-night usage by students in Hodges Library.”

Dewey also had some advice to offer students as they approached the end of the semester.

“Students need both group and quiet study space, and we hope that everyone is respecting the quiet floors on behalf of fellow students as we head into the busy end of semester period,” she said. “Students are also encouraged to seek assistance from our expert librarians and staff as they complete their fall semester work.”

Assistant Dean of Libraries Rita Smith was also proud of the changes made to library hours and implores students to take advantage of the change.

“So now it’s over to you to study hard and do your best,” Smith said.