The end of the semester is quickly approaching. This could only mean one thing: finals.
Most of the time finals are a good thing because one more semester is over. There is a break from school and students are closer to graduation but finals also mean a lot of stress and studying.
Nobody likes long nights of studying and being stressed out. Park University offers a lot of help to students to help reduce that stress and shock of finals week.
Ben Zibers, coordinator student engagement, said the first thing students should do is to check the finals schedule that can be found at http://www.park.edu/calendars/final-exams.html.
Knowing the schedule will help with planning study time and break times. Along with checking out the schedule Zibers said Park also suggests work on an analysis of time management and S.M.A.R.T. goal setting.
Another resource provided by Park is the Counseling Center located in Dearing Hall. The center provides services and materials designed specifically to teach about stress.
The center also provides passive programming such as bulletin boards on stress management and the staff offers appointments specifically tailored to each individual’s needs.
The Pirate Fitness Center is also a great place to relieve some stress. The center is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers five instructor-facilitated classes that may help relieve any stress presented during finals week. Classes include Zumba at 7 p.m. Mondays; kickboxing at 7 p.m. Tuesdays; yoga at 6 p.m. Wednesdays; Forge resistance training class at 7 p.m. Thursdays; and a boot camp cross fit class held at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All classes listed are open to all students, staff and faculty with a valid Park ID.
The Academic Support Center is a resource as well when it comes to needing help with a class. The center encourages students to register with a tutor or to take part in the study skills sessions offered.
Finals week is a crazy time for everyone, however, during finals week the Park Student Activities Board will provide popcorn and soda in the Thompson Student Center Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday that week.
The Park Student Activities Board will also assist the Residence Hall Council on implementing Park University’s annual “Cram Jam” which will be held from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at in Thompson cafeteria. “Cram Jam” provides fun activities as a way to take a break from the rigor of studying for finals.
Shelby Franklin, interior design major, lives off campus and a lot of the activities offered don’t fit into her schedule especially with classes and work. When Franklin starts to feel overwhelmed which her projects she enjoys doing other activities.
“I really enjoy going outside for a walk or just taking a few minutes to get some fresh air, as long as the weather is nice,” she said.
