First-Year AdvisingFirst-Year Advising

Meeting 3: Meeting 3: Facing the First FinalsFacing the First Finals

Semester Wrap-UpSemester Wrap-Up

Evaluate where you stand in each course using the Evaluate where you stand in each course using the syllabus to determine how each of your completed syllabus to determine how each of your completed assignments counts toward your final gradeassignments counts toward your final grade

Consult with instructors/professorsConsult with instructors/professors

Plan out and schedule your timePlan out and schedule your time

Keep your focus through the end of finals rather than Keep your focus through the end of finals rather than the last day of classesthe last day of classes

FinalsFinals

Read the entire entry in the Read the entire entry in the Dictionary of Dictionary of Academic RegulationsAcademic Regulations on “Examinations, on “Examinations, Final.” Even if you think you have figured it Final.” Even if you think you have figured it all out or heard everything about finals, read all out or heard everything about finals, read the the entireentire entry. entry.

http://www.umw.edu/publications/dictionary_ar_fburg/az/e/examinations_final.php

Before classes end, your instructor Before classes end, your instructor will likely talk about the exam. will likely talk about the exam.

Make sure that it is clear how each Make sure that it is clear how each part will count toward the whole. If part will count toward the whole. If

it is not brought up, ask.it is not brought up, ask.

Use prior exams as a guide to the Use prior exams as a guide to the types of questions that will likely types of questions that will likely

be on the final and what the be on the final and what the instructor thinks is important.instructor thinks is important.

Some commitments will probably Some commitments will probably need to be put aside for awhile - need to be put aside for awhile -

ask for time off from work and let ask for time off from work and let family and friends know you will family and friends know you will have finals coming up so you need have finals coming up so you need

to prioritize your time.to prioritize your time.

Find out if the topics on the exam will be Find out if the topics on the exam will be cumulative or just material covered since the last cumulative or just material covered since the last

test. When studying, make a list of the broad test. When studying, make a list of the broad topics that will be covered and then fill it in with topics that will be covered and then fill it in with

more details as you study. more details as you study.

Study for no more than 2 hour Study for no more than 2 hour blocks at a time (taking 15 minute blocks at a time (taking 15 minute breaks) with the same subject, and breaks) with the same subject, and change to a dissimilar subject when change to a dissimilar subject when

you switch.you switch.

””

If you form study groups, choose If you form study groups, choose people with whom you will keep the people with whom you will keep the

commitment to actually study commitment to actually study rather than letting it turn into a rather than letting it turn into a

gossip session or a party.gossip session or a party.

Avoid cramming. The strongest case Avoid cramming. The strongest case against all-nighters is that depriving against all-nighters is that depriving yourself of sleep and good nutrition, yourself of sleep and good nutrition,

especially on a chronic basis, will work especially on a chronic basis, will work against you when trying to recall and against you when trying to recall and apply the information you have just apply the information you have just

tried to cram into your head.tried to cram into your head.

Having What You NeedHaving What You Need

Bring several writing instruments (i.e. a few Bring several writing instruments (i.e. a few sharpened pencils and two pens)sharpened pencils and two pens)

Have extra paperHave extra paper

Have an appropriate answer sheet or blue book (if Have an appropriate answer sheet or blue book (if required by instructor) – have more than one blue required by instructor) – have more than one blue book in case you write a lotbook in case you write a lot

Wear a watchWear a watch

Preparing for the ExamPreparing for the Exam Find out if the instructor subtracts for wrong answers Find out if the instructor subtracts for wrong answers

or just counts up correct answers. Some instructors do or just counts up correct answers. Some instructors do not want you to guess, but others hope that by the not want you to guess, but others hope that by the process of elimination you can narrow down your process of elimination you can narrow down your choices and reason out the answer.choices and reason out the answer.

Be sure you have checked and rechecked to verify the Be sure you have checked and rechecked to verify the date and time of the examdate and time of the exam

Eat a Eat a lightlight snack before the exam snack before the exam

Get a full, good night’s sleepGet a full, good night’s sleep

Taking the TestTaking the Test

Arrive a few minutes early to settle yourself and relax.Arrive a few minutes early to settle yourself and relax. For some people, reading over notes at the last minute For some people, reading over notes at the last minute

makes them more nervous.makes them more nervous. Map out your work timeline (with exact start and end Map out your work timeline (with exact start and end

times rather than one hour here, ½ hour there), i.e.:times rather than one hour here, ½ hour there), i.e.: 2:15 - 3:15 – long essay2:15 - 3:15 – long essay 3:15 - 3:45 – short essay3:15 - 3:45 – short essay 3:45 - 4:45 – identify, multiple choice, etc.3:45 - 4:45 – identify, multiple choice, etc.

Pace yourself. Don’t rush and go on auto-pilot, which Pace yourself. Don’t rush and go on auto-pilot, which may lead to skipping questions or misreading instructions.may lead to skipping questions or misreading instructions.

EssaysEssays

Take a few moments to mull over the question.Take a few moments to mull over the question. Plot out a rough (and quick) outline so you can Plot out a rough (and quick) outline so you can

organize your thoughts.organize your thoughts. Use a pencil or an erasable pen so that you can make Use a pencil or an erasable pen so that you can make

changes and corrections to grammar and punctuation changes and corrections to grammar and punctuation without looking messy or disorganized.without looking messy or disorganized.

Elaborate. This assumes you’re elaborating on Elaborate. This assumes you’re elaborating on something relevant to the question; irrelevancies something relevant to the question; irrelevancies won’t help your case.won’t help your case.

Leave time to read through and edit.Leave time to read through and edit.

Quotable Quote on EssaysQuotable Quote on Essays

““Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, etc. are an opportunity for the instructor to see etc. are an opportunity for the instructor to see what you don’t know; essays are a chance for what you don’t know; essays are a chance for you to show him/her what you do know.”you to show him/her what you do know.”

-Dr. Liane Houghtalin-Dr. Liane Houghtalin

Associate Professor of Classics, Associate Professor of Classics, UMWUMW

GradesGrades

Registrar will e-mail your UMW account Registrar will e-mail your UMW account when grades are posted in Banner (grades when grades are posted in Banner (grades will will notnot be in the e-mail itself) be in the e-mail itself)

After receiving this e-mail, log into Banner to After receiving this e-mail, log into Banner to see your final gradessee your final grades

Print your final grades and keep a copy for Print your final grades and keep a copy for your recordsyour records

Use Banner to PlanUse Banner to Plan

Check out your “Degree Evaluation” in Banner. It Check out your “Degree Evaluation” in Banner. It places your completed course work and the courses in places your completed course work and the courses in which you are registered for spring 2010 into the which you are registered for spring 2010 into the General Education and ATC Requirements so you General Education and ATC Requirements so you can see where you stand. can see where you stand.

Check out the “What If” scenario in the Degree Check out the “What If” scenario in the Degree Evaluation (same Banner screen on the bottom right) Evaluation (same Banner screen on the bottom right) to see a potential major and view how your course to see a potential major and view how your course work could meet the requirements for that particular work could meet the requirements for that particular major. major.

Repeating CoursesRepeating Courses

If you receive a C- or lower in a course, you may If you receive a C- or lower in a course, you may repeat the course if it is offered. repeat the course if it is offered.

You cannot repeat a course if you take a course for You cannot repeat a course if you take a course for which it is prerequisite and receive a final grade in which it is prerequisite and receive a final grade in the subsequent course. the subsequent course.

If you anticipate receiving a grade of C- or lower, you If you anticipate receiving a grade of C- or lower, you are able to register NOW to repeat the class before a are able to register NOW to repeat the class before a final grade is posted. However, if your final grade final grade is posted. However, if your final grade exceeds your expectations with a C or higher, the exceeds your expectations with a C or higher, the repeated course repeated course WILL NOTWILL NOT automatically be deleted automatically be deleted from your record. from your record.

Repeating Courses: Repeating Courses: Sequence Course IssuesSequence Course Issues

Students currently enrolled in a prerequisite course must Students currently enrolled in a prerequisite course must pass the course to be eligible for the subsequent course. pass the course to be eligible for the subsequent course.

You may enroll in a subsequent course now, but you You may enroll in a subsequent course now, but you WILL NOTWILL NOT automatically be dropped from the automatically be dropped from the subsequent course if you do not pass the prerequisite subsequent course if you do not pass the prerequisite course. course.

If you receive a C-, D+ or D in a prerequisite course, If you receive a C-, D+ or D in a prerequisite course, you you WILL NOTWILL NOT be permitted to repeat the course if you be permitted to repeat the course if you receive a grade in the subsequent course. receive a grade in the subsequent course.

If you receive a low grade in a course that is part of an If you receive a low grade in a course that is part of an anticipated major, you should repeat it ASAP so that anticipated major, you should repeat it ASAP so that you have a solid foundation in the major material and so you have a solid foundation in the major material and so that your major GPA does not suffer. that your major GPA does not suffer.

Repeating Courses:Repeating Courses:ConclusionsConclusions

You should monitor your grades and adjust your You should monitor your grades and adjust your schedule as soon as possible. schedule as soon as possible.

Make an appointment to see a dean in the Office of Make an appointment to see a dean in the Office of Academic Services (x1010) ASAP if you have any Academic Services (x1010) ASAP if you have any questions about repeating.questions about repeating.

Be sure to take advantage of tutoring and study skills Be sure to take advantage of tutoring and study skills workshops the second time around (x1010).workshops the second time around (x1010).

Scheduling IssuesScheduling Issues

Monitor the open course list and pounce on an opening. Monitor the open course list and pounce on an opening.

Contact the instructor or the department to see if there is Contact the instructor or the department to see if there is a waiting list to get into the class. a waiting list to get into the class.

Contact the instructor to ask to “force add” into the class. Contact the instructor to ask to “force add” into the class. If the instructor agrees, he/she will go into Banner and If the instructor agrees, he/she will go into Banner and “force add” you. “force add” you. YouYou must then follow up by going must then follow up by going into Banner and registering for the course using the into Banner and registering for the course using the CRN for the course. CRN for the course.

Plan to take the course in summer session or in a later Plan to take the course in summer session or in a later semester.semester.

Did you get into all the courses you planned? If Did you get into all the courses you planned? If not, what can you do?not, what can you do?

Spring 2010 Schedule ChangesSpring 2010 Schedule Changes

Print and keep any schedule changes for your Print and keep any schedule changes for your records.records.

Disability ServicesDisability Services

Students with disabilities should be certain Students with disabilities should be certain that they request accommodations for the that they request accommodations for the spring semester. Students must request spring semester. Students must request accommodations each semester and should accommodations each semester and should do so as early as possible. You should do so as early as possible. You should contact ODS (x1266) immediately if you are contact ODS (x1266) immediately if you are currently receiving accommodations and currently receiving accommodations and haven’t yet contacted them about the spring haven’t yet contacted them about the spring semester.semester.

DeadlinesDeadlines

Did anyone miss a deadline like changing to/from Did anyone miss a deadline like changing to/from pass/fail or dropping or withdrawing from an pass/fail or dropping or withdrawing from an individual course?individual course?

You should use this semester’s experiences to prepare You should use this semester’s experiences to prepare for the deadlines coming in the spring semester. for the deadlines coming in the spring semester.

Exact dates and deadlines will no longer be provided Exact dates and deadlines will no longer be provided in these presentations. You need to keep track of the in these presentations. You need to keep track of the UMW Academic Calendar: UMW Academic Calendar: http://www.umw.edu/calendar/cas_mwc/default.php..

Tips for Over Winter BreakTips for Over Winter Break

Read! Read for fun – it keeps your mind Read! Read for fun – it keeps your mind workingworking

Personal Reflection – be honest with yourself Personal Reflection – be honest with yourself and jot down some things you would like to do and jot down some things you would like to do differently next semester. Review these at the differently next semester. Review these at the beginning of next semester.beginning of next semester.