MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Students on the Morgantown WVU campus are navigating finals week Dec. 12 through Dec. 16. WVU Dean of Students Dr. Corey Farris said the last day of classes was Thursday allowing students to begin exam preparation Friday and continue through the weekend.
“We cheer them on in lots of different ways,” Farris said. ” Whether it’s giving them quiet study space, food in their belly or providing a little extra counseling if they’ve got some test anxiety as well as tutoring and study hall workshops.”
This year, students will hear a new warning.
The new Mountaineer Fentanyl Education Task Force, co-chaired by U.S. Attorney from the Northern District of West Virginia, Bill Ihlenfeld and student Azeem Khan, has been cautioning students about the proliferation of the drug. Task force members warn students that any drug purchased on the street for the purpose of studying longer or better test performance could be deadly.
“One pill can kill, so we hope steer them not toward medication, but to mental health, to tutors, to their professors on how to prepare for exams” Farris said. ” But, not the artificial substances that may truly may harm them.”
Final exams and major semester-end papers can be the most difficult parts of the academic year. Experts recommend studying in groups in a comfortable atmosphere with few distractions. Also, switching topics to prevent learning fatigue and revisiting difficult concepts can help students retain more knowledge.
“Every hour or so a student should take a break and give their mind a rest and let their mind process,” Farris said. “We give them a number of different tips throughout the week or they can come in and see our counselors if they’re extra stressed.”
Through Friday, many students will transition from the stress of final exams to the relief of commencement for some. According to Farris, traffic will build in the campus area leading up to two ceremonies Dec. 17 when motorists are advised to avoid the Coliseum area.
“Fall semester students will slowly trickle out of town, so probably later in the week around the residence halls is where we get a little bit of traffic but it shouldn’t be too bad,” Farris said.