Tips from CMU Honors Students: How to Survive Finals Week

Story and photos by: Beth Nocerini

The end of the semester is fast approaching at CMU, meaning students are spending most of their days studying for their exams or finishing final projects for classes.

Honors students Zoey Reichenbach, Charlotte Nelson, and Grace Parkham weekly put hours into their studying, but still find the time to relax and be with each other. During the interview the students were doing diamond paintings, something they have been using as a study break and reward at the end of the day.  

For studying tips, they were able to give a variety of different methods.  

Parkham, a sophomore, said “I’ve been making Quizlet’s, which I have never done before for a class and some of them are over 100 flashcards.” As one of her top studying methods this semester.  

“I have a school mode on my phone where it locks all of my apps except like email and spotify and puts my phone on do not disturb,” said Parkham.  

Another one of her methods is writing everything down on a whiteboard until she can fill it entirely from memory.

“If I’m doing anything math or physics related and I’m at a whiteboard I turn on the Oppenheimer soundtrack,” she said.

Parkham is not limited to Oppenheimer and will also listen to the Interstellar soundtrack, heavy metal, and rock music while studying.  

Nelson, a sophomore, chimed in saying, “I listen to dramatic classical music when I’m on a deadline.”

“When I’m reading my textbook, I will toss it between my hands in which the tempo I am reading and that really helps me to remember the words better,” said Nelson who learned this method in elementary school to remember spelling on difficult words.  

Nelson highlighted the importance of knowing what works best for you, ““Finding your study method is probably one of the biggest things you will ever learn,” she said.

Looking online for different studying methods was one of her recommendations as well. “You might have a different method depending on what you are trying to learn,” Nelson said.

Talking to professors and not being afraid to ask questions is another tip Nelson shared. “Professors are honestly one of the most underutilized resources we have at this school,” she said.  

Reichenbach, also a sophomore, agreed with Nelson. ““Actually doing your work, actually do the readings and actually go to class because then you’re more prepared for the actual exam,” she said.  

This way Reichenbach does not have to stress too much on the exam, ““I have cushion, if for whatever reason I flopped, I would be okay,” she said.  

“Using the resources that the campus has like getting a tutor,” said Reichenbach. She then brought up other resources at CMU such as the writing center, the math center, or creating study groups with people in the same classes.  

For their favorite places on campus to study, Nelson said her dorm since she prefers to be alone. Parkham responded, “I cannot do anything in my dorm because I’ll be at my desk and then Ill look at my bed, and then slowly I’ll make my way to my bed.”  

Parkham prefers to study either in Brookes or in the library, specifically the fourth floor by the windows.  

Reichenbach agreed with Parkham and prefers to be “anywhere but my dorm,” she said. Reichenbach’s favorite spots around campus are the computer lab in Finch, Ponder in the library, or quiet study on the first floor of the library.  

The students also put an importance on taking care of yourself during this time. ““Eat food, a lot of people exist on energy drinks and just a sweet treat, but you need to actually eat a meal,” said Reichenbach.  

“Doing things like diamond paintings with your friends while drinking hot chocolate,” said Nelson along with, “plan something afterwards and look forward to it,”