Thanksgiving break isn't just a time for food, family andfootball for many University of Memphis students. For thoseunprepared for upcoming final exams, papers and projects, 'tis thecramming season.
"At this time in the semester, we have seven class days left,and (unprepared) students should attend every one of them," saidBarbara Bekis, Educational Support Programs coordinator. "If astudent is concerned about making great improvements on the lasttest or the final exam, they must learn what they didn't get duringthe semester."
Cramming in a semester's worth of information in two weeks is nosmall feat, Bekis said. But for those students who have failed toattend every class, take thorough notes or do well on tests thissemester, cramming may be the best method of not failing theirfinal exams.
The method Bekis and other educational support staff recommendto worried students is to schedule backwards.
Backwards scheduling involves making a list of all exams, papersand projects due during the final days of the semester, Bekis said.In order to plan backwards, students must first know whatassignments are due and when.
After making the to-do list, the second step is to schedule aperiod of study time longer than the time allotted for the finalexam, Bekis said.
ESP officials also recommend that under-prepared students berealistic about how well they can score on final exams.
Students should "prepare to the extent they are able to at thispoint," said Kim Williams-Collins of Educational Support Programs."Students must be objective about what they can have done and howwell they can be prepared by class deadlines."
Williams-Collins also recommends students schedule anappointment with the class instructor to pinpoint what the finalexam will cover and what is expect for final projects andpapers.
"Find out from the instructor what is essential to know,"Williams-Collins said. "If the exam is comprehensive, identifycertain areas that will require more focus and accept that you maybe less prepared for other parts."
Group study is also a good way for many students to gainstrength in courses where they are experiencing trouble, sheadded.
"Most of the time, group study is better because you haveseveral minds and several sets of notes," Williams-Collins said."For many students, talking ideas out and having to explaininformation to someone else helps stimulate learning and is a goodway to retain the information. But it depends on the student."
ESP will have tutors available up to study day for most generaleducation courses. However, all learning centers will close afterthe last day of classes, Bekis said.
"It's not too late for students who have slacked off some torecover," Williams-Collins said. "Write out a plan, set priorities,and come to ESP now if you need help."
ESP officials also recommend all students get plenty of exerciseand seven to eight hours of rest before exam days. In addition,under-prepared students are urged not to spend too much timegathering notes but to focus on learning as much of the material aspossible in the short time left, Williams-Collins said.
Cramming "is not ideal," she said, "but it's better to know someof the information well than to not know any of the information atall."
