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As finals approach, the UTRGV Learning Center hosted the Finish Strong: Finals Prep workshop online Wednesday and Thursday for students interested in learning about study strategies, time-management techniques and tools to stay focused, according to the event flyer.
Fatima Hernandez, an academic coaching for excellence coach at the Learning Center, said the workshop is one of the most important ones during the semester.
“It’s almost finals, and this is when students are most stressed and might not know what to study or the tools available,” Hernandez said.
She said for freshmen, the workshop might be the first time they hear about the resources the university offers, such as the Writing Center, tutoring and coaching.
During the workshop, Samuel Cosay, a peer coach at the Learning Center, gave a presentation to the students in attendance that covered the essentials for finals: problem-solving strategies, time-management tools and study strategies.
Cosay encouraged students to use active studying, summaries, teaching others and practice problems.
“Active learning and active studying [are] different from passive,” he said. “Passive is just reading, listening and watching.”
Cosay added creating topic-specific study guides, forming study groups and using campus resources are some tips for finals preparation.
“Don’t make your studying very general,” he said. “… Know which segments belong to which chapters and do active learning.”
Mariajose Garza/THE RIDER
The peer coach added students should use technology to their advantage by exploring apps that enhance their study experience.
“Quizlet for flashcards, Forest app to avoid distractions, Notion for planning, and studying and providing exam motivation with a motivational study timer,” Cosay said.
Hernandez said the center gives students a small guide for the upcoming finals that includes checking the syllabus and making sure they have the important materials for class.
“We conduct our sessions with the aim of ensuring that the student has a goal at the end of our session,” she said. “… For example, if they say they got an A on their math exam, then you could talk to them about what you would need to do to get an A.”
Hernandez said she knows the workshop is important for helping students feel they can successfully go through finals. She added the Learning Center has workshops all semester long, such as “what you need for classes or a guide about Brightspace … or more specifically, an organization workshop.”
Hernandez said students should give themselves the opportunity to attend the Learning Center’s workshops.
“They might be students who are currently doing very well in their classes and, truth be told, don’t have any problems; however, it’s possible that a particular strategy could still be of help to you,” she said.
Hernandez added the coaches at the center are undergraduates and, if students are interested in a one-on-one appointment, they should not hesitate to reach out.
“It’s a safe space for them, where we understand them because we are students too,” she said.
Mia Fernandez, an integrated health science freshman, said her experience at the Learning Center has been good even for her first year at UTRGV.
“Whenever I need help, my [Peer-Led Team Learning] leader helps me,” Fernandez said.
She said she encourages students to use the Learning Center’s resources.
“At first, it can be intimidating because it’s small and it can be scary, but everyone’s minding their own business, and it’s not that scary,” Fernandez said.
Mariajose Garza/THE RIDER
