Finish the semester strong!

Great job with all of your hard work so far this semester!  Now, at the end of the semester, it’s time to access the resources you need to finish strong. Use the last few weeks of classes to catch up and keep up with your course work. Because you won’t have classes during finalstime management will be very important, creating structure for yourself and balancing time for sleep, rest, and good nutrition. Finals can be stressful and you’ll need to take care of yourself – this is a major part of preparing for any exam. Find tips and strategies for managing stress here.

The LSC is here to help you think through the steps that will work for you. Read on for resources, videos, and the top 10 tips from study skills experts and LSC tutors.

– Plan out the last few weeks of the semester using a “home-stretch calendar.” Calendars are an important tool for getting yourself organized and identifying and keeping on top of your crunch times. Block out time, especially during finals, to do things like eat, sleep, and exercise.

You may want to check out our Guidelines for Creating a Study Schedule to make your study more efficient and the Five Day Study Plan to decide when and how to study for exams.

– Having a hard time getting started? Procrastination happens to all of us, and when you understand it more you’ll have the tools to overcome it. Find out out how to break the cycle here.   

– Cornell students can self-enroll in our Canvas module on Studying for and Taking Exams for a complete step-by-step guide on what works, what doesn’t, how to develop a study plan, and strategies for taking exams. Click on the link here to self-enroll in the module.  Learn about effective study strategies, concept mapping, and how to tackle different types of exam questions.

– Check out our videos on time management, the perils of multitasking, learning from online lectures and discussions, and being flexible.  Find our YouTube channel here.

Advice Corner:
Tips from the LSC tutors on accessing stamina and finishing strong!

  1. Study a little bit of each subject every day.
  2. Start early.
  3. Eat and sleep, an exam is not worth your health.
  4. Take breaks to exercise, it will help you focus better while you are studying.
  5. Work with friends for company and motivation. Try to teach the material make sure you understand it.
  6. Review past prelims, especially the mistakes you made.
  7. Do difficult practice problems and work through them to get an answer before asking for help.
  8. Take practice exams under testing conditions— same time of day, format, amount of time, even the same room or building if possible.
  9. Have one fun thing planned each day. (Tutor suggestions: climbing wall, Trader Joe’s run, baking, Dairy Bar, pet a dog, quick walk in the Botanic Gardens.)
  10. Unexpected issues may arise, that’s ok, it’s just part of adulting.
  11. (Bonus!) To maintain a positive attitude it helps to keep the big picture in mind —what’s your “why?” Staying in touch with big-picture goals helps develop resilience.

 

dog looking at book

Keep up the hard work–you got this!

The LSC Sensory Room is Open!

A sensory room is a place where students who are stressed or overstimulated can find respite or escape sensory overload. It’s a welcoming space for all students, especially those who identify as neurodivergent, and it allows them to have greater control over their level of sensory input.

Cornell students can visit the room this summer Monday through Thursday from 9:00am-4:00pm and Friday 12:00-4:00pm.

Read more here!

Successful students ask for help when they need it!

At the LSC, you will often hear us say, “Successful students ask for help when they need it!”. This advice actually came from our student tutors. When we asked them what they would want to share with new students, this was the most common response.

So, you might be wondering, where DO I get help if when I need it?

Where can you get help?

Visit office hours with your course instructor or TA (Teaching Assistant). Office hours are times for you to come and ask questions – they are usually held at a variety of times. Instructors and TAs are there to help you learn, so visit office hours and take a look at how you can best use them! (New to Cornell? – check out our Cornell Terms to Know page!)

Look for LSC tutoring and LSC Supplemental Courses, which are available as a supplement to some challenging introductory courses and give additional problem-solving practice. Check out the LSC webpage for what courses are supported. All courses and tutoring offered by the LSC are available at NO COST to you!

Find a study group or study partner. Not only are study partners a great way to network and connect with your peers, studying together is a powerful tool for learning:

  • Other students may have questions you didn’t even know you have.
  • Setting a regular time and place to study can help with procrastination.
  • Explaining material to other students is a well-established method of solidifying your own knowledge.
  • Working with classmates from a variety of background helps you gain insights and experience perspectives you might not otherwise have access to.

group working at a tableFinding people to study with can be challenging (even when you are taking in-person classes), and Cornell’s Learning Strategies Center (LSC) helps match you with study partners. To find out more about study groups and partners and to sign-up for study partners for class you are in, visit the LSC’s Studying Together webpage.

people talking

Talk to your Advisor. Every college is different in terms of how advising works, but they all have staff who are there to help! College advisors provide information on where to get support while you are here and they can advise you on the courses you need to/should take.

Look at study tips and strategies offered by the LSC. Help with study strategies and time management can be just as important as help with content. Sometimes tweaking your current study strategies or trying new ones can help you save time and learn material better. Check out the LSC resources on how to study, managing time and stress, and learning online.

There are many place to get help! Your friends, residential staff, and family are great resources. Check out non-LSC academic resources and other campus support offices.

As you already know, it won’t always be easy, but you can do it!

Cornell WILL push you and it WILL be hard sometimes (that’s how we get better and learn). Remember, you have the tools and the resources – maybe you need to tweak them, maybe you need to try something new, but you have what you need, and you have a community of support (your peers, your instructors, your advisors, residential staff, and many others) here to help.

It’s easier to keep up than catch up, so make sure you get help when you need it. Have a great semester!

Use syllabus week to establish your plan for the semester. Go through your syllabi and put the dates of prelims, essays, and projects in your calendar. Include important extracurriculars. Make a weekly schedule with classes, office hours, when to do homework, study, workout, etc. Spend time studying the first couple of weeks so the first wave of prelims doesn’t just hit you. Practice good self-care: sleep well, eat well, workout. Review your notes everyday. Keep your room clean and organized. Find study habits that work for you – try self-testing. Go to office hours and ask questions. Set a routine and stick to it!