Stressed about finals? These tips and resources can help you succeed

As final exams for the spring 2021 semester approach on May 3-7, University of North Georgia (UNG) students can take steps to prepare.

"We know it's been a stressful academic year dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and our students have been resilient," Dr. Kel Lee Cutrell, associate director of Student Counseling, said. "We want to help them finish the year strong by being ready for their exams."

Cadet Capt. Nikulaus Pujals, a senior from Roswell, Georgia, pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies with a concentration in Russian, said breaks from studying are part of his formula for success. The Distinguished Military Graduate and Distinguished Military Student emphasized that these times should provide food, exercise or some other method of keeping fresh rather than simply doing nothing. Such practices are more effective than nonstop study sessions.

"It's not about how much you study," Pujals said. "It's how effectively you study."

Student Counseling and Tutoring Services staff have teamed up to provide students some useful tips to navigate this stressful portion of the semester:

• Finding it tough to get started? Set small, achievable goals to build momentum. For example, start with a commitment to study for 15 minutes.
• Break down your studying into smaller steps. Do a little bit each day. Study for 45 minutes and take a 15-minute break to recharge before continuing.
• Study in a group, but be sure to maintain recommended protocols for social distancing and wearing face coverings. Or get together virtually. "We all learn in different ways and we all hear things differently," Cutrell said. "Research shows that collaborative studying is the most effective."
• Free yourself from distractions by putting your phone in another room. Jonathan Barefield, interim director of Tutoring Services, said it's too easy for one or two notifications to turn into 20 minutes of scrolling that derails the studying process.
• Find a place that makes sense for studying — and that's not a bed. Students who do not have a place at home can find one at a library or in a study room on campus.
• Practice self-care. Remember to get enough sleep, eat meals, catch up with a friend or pet a dog between study sessions.
• Know the format of your final exam. Is it cumulative? Is it short answer or multiple choice?
• Repetition is key to learning.

In addition to these tips, Nigel Cares, Student Counseling and Tutoring Services remain available to students during exams

Nigel Cares offers a 24/7/365 mental health support line for in-the-moment support and links to next steps, regardless of time of day or students' location. The Nigel Cares support line is 833-910-3368.

Nigel Cares also provides a UNG Wellness Hub, which features articles on topics such as avoiding procrastination and retention of information once a student has read it.

Information on how to set up an appointment for in-person tutoring and Microsoft Teams links for no-appointment tutoring by subject are available on the Tutoring Services website.

Students can set up in-person or online appointments through the Student Counseling website, as well.