For many students, the stress of finals week is a grueling face-off with papers, projects and tests.
But which one is the worst? Are final tests harder than final papers? What about projects? Chelsea Taylor, a senior in history, said projects are the hardest.
“Not only do you usually have to stand in front of your class and give an oral presentation, you also have to write a paper and create a PowerPoint slideshow,” she said. “It’s really more like three assignments in one.”
Of the 23 students interviewed, 14 agreed projects are the most difficult aspect of finals week. However, Miranda Leruth, a freshman in nursing, said while projects are a lot of work, she finds them useful when it comes to increasing overall grades in a class.
“Most students probably have that one test or quiz this semester that they aren’t super proud of,” she said. “By having more assignments, it means there will be more grades put into the system that can help cover the effects of that one bad grade. Classes that just have a midterm and a final are the worst because your whole grade rests on two things.”
For Whitney Kraatz, a freshman in biology, it doesn’t matter what kind of final it is, as long as she has music. It’s a technique she uses to get through the last few weeks of school. While she works on projects and papers, Kraatz listens to summer hits and imagines herself on vacation.
“Piña coladas, beaches, sleeping in,” she said. “I have to keep reminding myself that summer vacation is right around the corner while staying focused on what I have to finish.”
Kate Werner, a senior in health sciences, copes by thinking about graduation.
“I may be bogged down with several papers and projects that I am trying to cram into this last week of school,” she said, “but for me it’s all about that cap and gown on graduation day.”
@mary_royal