Ah yes, exam season is finally here. The final stretch of the semester, the last mile to the finish line. They often say that the final mile in a marathon is the most difficult. Well, it turns out post-secondary studies follows a similar pattern. The truth is, exam season is a time of extreme stress and pressure. All that material that you learned back in September is back, and your expected to know it from top to bottom. December and April are two of the busiest months for university students, no matter how many years of school you have under your belt. Late night studying, reading the textbook through meal time and going over the same practice questions over and over again become the norm. Fear not! As there are shards of light at the end of this tunnel. First off, once you finish your exams you get a well deserved, relaxing two-week holiday before the second semester starts. You will finally have the ability to sit back, relax and enjoy some quality time with friends and family. In the meantime, and to assist you with getting through exam season, Brandon University offers a variety of services to help students deal with the added stress and pressure.
One of the best ways to deal with the pressure of exam season is to book an appointment at the Academic Skills Center. The Academic Skills Center, located in room 102 in the A.E. McKenzie building on campus, offers students assistance with math, writing and learning skills. These skills will prove invaluable on any test or exam you take throughout your post-secondary studies. Many students find themselves struggling in the field of mathematics, especially if they are not in sciences to begin with. At the Academic Skills Center, a skills specialist can work with you one on one, and assist in explaining principles and applying them in related questions. The Academic Skills Center also has a learning specialist. The learning specialist can assist you with a variety of academic activities such as reading a textbook more efficiently, writing short answers on tests and making study questions. They can also offer help in preparing for those long-winded essay questions of final exams. Speaking of those last page, hour long questions, the Academic Skills Center can also help you touch up on your writing skills. Whether its learning about citations and referencing or just how to organize your essay, a stop at the Academic Skills Center will relieve some of that added pressure. The more prepared you are for the final exam, the less stress you'll endure. Make sure you take advantage of all the Academic Skills Center has to offer this exam season. The best way to access the services at the Academic Skills Center is to book an appointment. You can book an appointment by stopping by the center or by calling 204-727-9737
One of the best ways to prepare for the final exam, is to take the time to talk to your professor. Brandon University is known for its friendly faculty and stunning student-to-faculty ratio. The professors at Brandon University are always willing to assist their students in understanding the course material. Send your professor an email, a professional email from your university account. Even if you are on a first name basis with your professor its important to keep things proper in the post-secondary setting. Some questions can be answered over a quick email while others may require an appointment for further clarification. Either way, make sure you take the time to ask any questions you have before the final exam.
Sometimes the added stress and pressure just becomes to much for us to handle. After all, there can be times when you have back to back exams and aren't nearly prepared enough for them. You may feel like your loosing all control over the situation. Luckily, Brandon University is equipped with some invaluable resources to help you through that difficult time. Counselling services are available to all Brandon University students, free of charge. Professional Counselors can help with stress, anxiety and depression, things that some students may experience during exam season. Not to worry, as the sessions are confidential so you can attend knowing your privacy is respected. To book an appointment with a counselor either stop by the office at room 102 in the A.E. McKenzie building or call 204-727-9737. Remember that if you need the support, its just a short phone call away.
As you can see, Brandon University has a large variety of support options for students during exam season. For any type of exam or test, its important to make sure you are completely prepared. In order to assist you in this matter, the university has the Academic Skills Center, which can help you sharpen up your math skills or teach you better studying habits. The center can also prepare you for those long-winded essay questions of the final exam. Sometimes you may have very specific and direct questions. In this case it is best to email your professor directly. Your professor is the best source of knowledge you have when it comes to the course material. If in doubt, send them an email from your university email account. For many students, all the prepping in the world cannot take away their stress and anxiety. In this case it is best to talk to a professional counselor. We are fortunate enough to have that service right on campus. Professional counselling can be accessed through the Academic Skills Center and is free of charge. As we inch closer to the season that many students would like to avoid, remember that these support options are available to you. In many cases you pay for them in your initial tuition payment. It is in your best interest to take full advantage of them, should you require them. Happy exam season to one and all!! And happy holidays!