As finals period continues to approach, the Student Success Center would like to suggest the following tips on how to end this academic semester with success!

Finals period can be a stressful time for many. As the semester comes to a close, you may find yourself overwhelmed with projects, exams, and those last minute make-up assignments. To manage the demands of finals period and maximize your success:

Manage Stress and Anxiety

• Take time to relax before and in between exams —take a walk, watch a movie or do anything else that will help you to relax.

• Consider visiting the Student Success Center for counseling services for additional information on how to manage the stress of finals.

• Finals aren't all work and no play —organize activities and other fun gatherings with friends as a reward for completing finals.

Click here to learn stress management techniques from Adam Beyda

Manage your Time

• The best way to avoid being overwhelmed during finals time is— to simply manage your time appropriately. This means finding the appropriate balance between playing your X-Box 360 and preparing for your exams.

• Allow blocks of time for studying and review—though you are tempted to wait until the day before, study for finals and complete major projects and papers well in advance. Creating a study and work schedule is the best way to manage your time and ensure your success.

• Use your planner —finals period is a great time to use the HNU Planner.

• Get adequate rest —though studying is important, having balance is just as necessary.

Study Wisely

• Vary what you study —do not focus on just one subject. Take a break every now and then, plus, you will stay alert when you study for dissimilar subjects.

• Stick to your routine —it is an old rule, but an important rule none the less. Stick to your routine and get adequate rest the night before. Staying up all night though it seems helpful can have negative effects on your memory and energy levels.

• Cram selectively —Try to avoid studying lots of new information before an exam. However, if you are going to cram (which let's admit, we have all had to do at some point) focus on key terms and concepts not entire chapters.

Other Suggestions

• Attend class —as it is never too late. Although you may have missed quite a few classes in the beginning or never missed a class so planned on missing a few now that the year is ending, you should still attend class. Towards the end of the semester attendance and participation become critical and can often factor in if you are on the borderline between two grades. Also, the information that is covered in the last few classes usually comprises the final. And lastly, professors will often use the last few classes to review for the exam.

• Take notes —if you already have not. Taking notes helps to reduce the amount of information that you have to look-up when studying.

• Stay Positive —although at times you may feel overwhelmed. Try and keep a positive outlook, as this will help you to tackle each issue and maintain balance which is essential to managing challenges. Also, avoid negative and anxious people, as negativity and anxiety are super contagious.

This information was adapted from the University of Texas Learning Center, 2006

Trip to Alemany Farm This Sunday!

HNU students will have the opportunity to work at Alemany Farm this Sunday. The Farm's web site reads: "Alemany Farm empowers San Francisco residents to grow their own food, and through that process encourages people to become more engaged with their communities. We grow organic food and green jobs for low-income communities, while sowing the seeds for economic and environmental justice."

Earlier this year, the first year program hosted a forum with Jason Mark, Farm Manager. Students got to learn all about Alemany and what different opportunities Alemany has to offer.

Contact Tom Cunningham if you would like to take part in the Alemany Farm trip.

photos from Alemany Farm