As the Fall 2023 semester wraps up, there is much to be done. Students and faculty alike are busier than ever, working hard to ensure that their semester ends on the right foot.
For many students, the end of the semester can signal a time of great stress over final exams.
MCC has designated the week of Dec. 4 to be final exam week, with exam meetings dependent on student schedules.
Not every course, however, has a traditional exam. MCC student Trevor Manhoff reports that, out of his four courses, only one of them is formatted as an exam. His other three courses require a final paper or speech.
Because of the nature of his courses, Manhoff feels confident going into final exam week.
“I’m feeling good for all my classes,” Manhoff said. “[For] most of [my finals], it’s really just more of a buildup. It’s not like an on-the-spot type of test.”
Manhoff’s main concern going into finals week is his pen-and-paper exam.
“The test is stressful. If it’s a paper or a speech, that’s not stressful at all,” Manhoff said. “It gives me so much time to research and feel good about it. Whenever they’re tests, it makes me nervous.”
With each course’s final exam structured differently, it is important for students to adequately
prepare for each of their finals in a way tailored to their needs.
MCC instructor Lee Stanton is teaching four courses this semester — Art History I, Art
History II, Art Appreciation, and Humanities Through the Arts. Stanton shares that for her courses, there are final papers and presentations.
“I don’t do comprehensive exams, the idea being that you’re bringing all you’ve learned to the final project or paper,” Stanton said. “It’s really important to tie in everything we’re learning throughout the semester. It all builds to something.”
Stanton emphasizes that in some of her courses, there are assignments to get students thinking
about the final. For example, in Art History I, there is an annotated bibliography that directly
correlates to the final paper.
“I hope that instructors help [students] prepare,” Stanton said. “Give them tools to do that. I think that would make them feel more prepared.”
MCC offers various resources to help students with their final exams. Students can visit the Sage Learning Center to receive help with studying and test-taking strategies. Students can also drop in for help with a final paper or project.
Students can also consult academic advisors, student success coaches, and their instructors for
assistance regarding their final exams. They are all available to help students do well in their final exams.
Manhoff offers some advice for students who are stressed about their final exams.
“Don’t cram it. I’ve done it multiple times,” Manhoff said. “Usually, it does work out well. But it
does make it a lot more stressful. I’d say plan ahead.” Stanton echoes Manhoff’s guidance and adds that keeping up with coursework all semester is equally as important. Stanton states that instructors are also available to help students.
“Don’t think you can do all the readings the last week,” Stanton said. “It depends really on how
much students do the work. Mostly, that comes down to time management, but life hits too.”
In the days leading up to finals week, students should take the time to review course materials and clear up any gaps in learning with their instructors. Students should put in the effort for all their finals, no matter the format.
Finals week is only as stressful as students allow it to be, and with MCC’s vast array of resources available, students can finish off the semester strong and celebrate all they have accomplished.
