Finally time for finals

Liberty offers multiple resources to assist students in preparing for exams

Finals week is coming, so it’s crunch time for Liberty University students.

Papers are piling up, tests loom, grades hang in the balance, and most students feel lost in the midst of the pre-summer cram. For this very reason, the Bruckner Learning Center and the Writing Center at Liberty encourage students to utilize their services as much as necessary.

For students who need to write papers, the Writing Center at Green Hall offers half-hour to full-hour appointments for any kind of writing need.

Clifford Stumme, director of the Undergraduate Writing Center, stressed that it is not an editing center to fix errors, but rather a service to point students in the right direction in regard to four specific areas of writing: content, organization, grammar and format.

“We help with a wide variety of assignments, like discussion board posts, essays, research papers and sometimes even resumes or cover letters,” Stumme said.

The coaches at the Writing Center generally focus on turning out independent, confident writers.

The overall goal is to make the person a better writer, rather than to make the paper a better piece of writing. According to writing coach Kasey Lentini, clarity is the issue that students most often seek help on in the way of writing.

“Every student has specific struggles that they face, but I think that what almost every student comes in saying is that they just want to express their ideas clearly,” Lentini said.

“I feel like most problems brought here can be encompassed in the phrase, ‘communicating in writing more clearly.’”

Students can make appointments online, via email and phone, or by walking into the center.

The Writing Center will remain open during finals week, but as of May 5, it will be moving from Green Hall to residence hall 10, in the Circle.

For test preparation, the College of Applied Studies and Academic Success (CASAS) offers tutoring services through the Bruckner Learning Center for general education subjects. Students can make half-hour, one-on-one or group tutoring appointments, depending on the demand of the subject.

Unlike the Writing Center, the Bruckner tutoring center will not be open during finals week.

Katie Hacker, coordinator of tutoring services with CASAS, suggests that students make their appointments while they still can.

She also recommends that students come prepared with questions, so the tutors can better direct students in a way that will supplement their studies.

“All of the stuff that everyone’s learning is scaffolded in a way,” Hacker said.

“You just build on it, build on it, build on it. So laying a good foundation, I think, will make you more successful as a student. Right now, just come with your questions, be patient and don’t expect everything to get solved that day.”

The student tutors at the Bruckner Learning Center focus on instilling study habits through their own experiences and through the most common issues they see in students who seek help.

“A lot of people come in not knowing how to study history, saying the textbook is really dry and boring,” history tutor Joshua Helms said.

“They often don’t look at the textbook or anything. So I give them different tactics for balance.”

Besides study habits, the tutors also provide practical advice for mental preparation for time of academic rigor.

According to chemistry tutor Rachel Glavin, students need to know their own learning style and threshold for stress.

“If there’s ever a time to put yourself in the best-brain-situation, it’s the two weeks before finals and finals week,” Glavin said.

Additionally, tutors also assist by way of encouragement to any student who may be intimidated by a certain subject matter.

“Don’t stress,” English literature tutor Joylanda Jamison said. “Just remember that God has gotten us through this much. He’s going to get us through finals.”

In the time leading up to finals, both writing and CASAS tutors encourage students to recognize that they need help and then actively seek the help they need.

Hacker affirmed that the Bruckner Learning Center tutors consider their work Christian service.

“Don’t struggle,” Hacker said. “Ask for help. We want to help you be successful. We’ve got amazing tutors who love the Lord, and this is how they serve. They serve by helping students be successful.”

Jarrett is a news reporter.