Class Deans’ Tips for Finals Studying

Greetings Wesleyan Seniors! In preparation for a healthy and successful end to the 2016-2017 academic year, the Class Deans’ Office Roving Reporters are pleased to share some tips and strategies that students use to prepare for final exams and other academic assessments.

Overall Strategies:
thumbnailCA7IZ161• It gets to the point where I know I have to act like I am in a tunnel. (Joey ‘18)
• I’m trying to figure that out. My strategy is to pay attention in class and try to understand what’s happening when learning it and then remembering it is a lot easier. (Avi ‘20)
• Whenever you get the chance, put any effort you can into studying. Don’t let it build up. Don’t wait for midterms. Be on the lookout at least a week ahead of time. (Ryan ‘18)
• I look over all my notes and my syllabus to make sure I’m not missing any part of the class and to make sure that I at least know something about each portion of the syllabus. Then I just sort of spend time thinking about it and hope that I do well…and sleep. (Nathaniel ‘19)

Study Places:
• I like to be in a quiet place where I don’t feel distracted. I also like eating a good meal before studying so you’re not distracted by hunger the whole time. (Sarafina ‘20)
• Vary your study locations. Just get up and move every couple hours so you don’t get tired. (Campbell ‘19)

Time Management:
• Plan your time wisely. Make a daily schedule and a weekly schedule of all the things that you should be doing so you are using your time most efficiently. Also like not forgetting to get a meal and enough sleep. And to take care of yourself. (Steven ‘18)

Study Techniques:
• Always carry a highlighter everywhere you go…put it in your back pocket. (Mackenzie ‘19)
• I like to listen to really good music, like lots of rap…it has a steady beat, a set tempo for studying. (Parichat ‘20)
• I use index cards, rewrite my notes, and review a lot ahead of time and as you go along. (Valerie ‘20)thumbnailCAVE7PW2
• I study in separate chunks with breaks rather than cramming. You should test yourself; don’t just look at the notes. Anticipate questions that will be on the exam; don’t just look at your study guide and say Ah! I know this, and then formulate it into a question. (Kelly ‘17)
• Because I am a sociology major, I read a lot of social theory. I have different color codes for each color of highlighter that indicate special things in the text and make it easy to hold onto, like words like therefore, hence, thus, or for questions or definitions. I use colors that contrast two things. (Grace ’17)

General Advice:
• Don’t study with your friends. (Willa ‘19)
• Laugh a lot with your friends, take breaks with Netflix, and workout. (CiCi ‘18)

The Roving Class Deans:
These are terrific insights. To learn more about the ways that the Class Deans Office can help you, please stop in during drop-in hours or schedule an individual meeting to see us. http://www.wesleyan.edu/studentaffairs/about/classdeans.html.

To meet with an Academic Peer Advisor for studying or test-taking tips or time management strategies, go to http://www.wesleyan.edu/studentaffairs/resources/peeradvisors/index.html .

Remember:
Last Day to Withdraw from Full Semester & 4th Quarter Classes – May 3
Classes End – May 10
Reading Period – May 11 – 15
Final Exams – May 16 – 19
University Housing Closes – May 20

Fulbright and Other Post-Grad International Fellowship Opportunities — Workshops on April 25 and April 26

FULBRIGHT INFORMATION SESSION | Tuesday April 25 @ 12PM

Attend a Fulbright Information Session on Tuesday April 25 @ 12PM in Usdan 110 (feel free to pick up lunch beforehand – the presentation will start just after 12PM!).

FELLOWSHIP WRITING WORKSHOP | Tuesday April 25 OR Wednesday April 26

Thinking about applying to Fulbright? Maybe the Marshall, Mitchell or Rhodes Scholarship? And not sure where to start? Attend an upcoming Writing Workshop with Kate! Food will be provided, but registration is required. Register here: https://goo.gl/forms/v3mLOYgDd6WARl7P2

For more updates, deadlines & opportunities, please follow Fellowships @ Wes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wesfellowships/

Note from Student Accounts Office

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Student Account Reminder 

To:          Class of 2017

From:      Student Accounts Office 

Please keep in mind that to receive your diploma on Friday, May 26th your Student Account must be in good standing on Wednesday, May 24th (i.e. don’t forget to pay the bill due May 4th).  You may check on the status of your account at anytime by clicking on “Student Account Center” in the “Financial Information” section of your e-portfolio. Payment(s) can be made by e-check on Student Account Center, paper check made payable to “Wesleyan University” or by cash in person at the Student Accounts Office.

Note from Dean Brown: Senior Speaker/NameCoach Recording/Diploma Name

Hey 2017’ers, 

SENIOR SPEAKER

On behalf of the Senior Speaker Selection Committee, I am happy to announce that Lizzie Shackney will be the senior speaker at the 2017 Commencement.  Thank you to all of the amazing applicants who submitted excellent essays and made this decision a very hard one for the Committee.  Please join me in congratulating Lizzie and thanking the committee members, especially the Senior Class Officers, for their great work.      

NAMECOACH RECORDING

Check your email for the INVITATION email.  There is a link in the email to record your name so that it is pronounced correctly when read during the Commencement ceremony. 

DIPLOMA NAME

The Registrar’s Office has asked me to remind you that when you click on the link in your portfolio (Enrollment Status>Diploma Name) to confirm the name that will be on your diploma, it must be your LEGAL name, not your preferred name.   

WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE

The last day to withdraw from a full-semester or fourth-quarter course is Wednesday, May 3.  If you are planning on withdrawing from a course, make sure that you do not need it for your major or to reach 32.00 credits with no oversubscription.  The last day of classes is in three weeks–Wednesday, May 10!! 

If you have any questions or concerns or if I can be of any help as you approach the end of the semester, please do not hesitate to contact me, come by for drop-in, or call x2758 to schedule an appointment.  

Best, Dean Brown

 

 

Caps & Gowns for Commencement Ceremony!

Hey 2017’ers,

Here is information regarding the purchase of caps and gowns from Broad Street Books and information about the loaner cap and gown program at Usdan.   All Wesleyan undergraduates wear red, as you may already know from seeing the commencement photos over the years!

For those who purchase their caps and gowns, we encourage you to donate them to the loaner program for next year’s graduates.  More information about collection bins forthcoming.

Best, Dean Brown

From Shelby Choiniere, Store Manager of Broad Street Books:

Congratulations on your achievements!  The 2017 Commencement season is approaching soon, and it is time to start thinking about purchasing your graduation regalia.  All items can be purchased through Broad Street Books. Class rings can be obtained separately through the Jostens.com website where you can design your own ring in a style that best suits you.

You can now purchase your cap and gown.  If you are unable to pick up your regalia at the bookstore, we will be glad to ship it to you.  Contact Broad Street Books to place your order and provide shipping information.  Payment will be due at the time of ordering.  A shipping and handling fee will be applied to your purchase total.

Graduation regalia items are listed below.  Prices do not reflect sales tax.  All graduation regalia items are non-refundable. 

  • Undergrad/Bachelor Cap & Gown:  $39
  • Tassel:  $7
  • Caps:  $12
  • Caps and Tassels can be purchased separately.  Contact store personnel.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (860) 685-7323 and ask for Erin Ricker.  Store hours are Monday–Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

 

From Michelle Myers-Brown, Director of Usdan University Center:

Congratulations to all soon-to-be graduates!

Seniors who do not want to purchase the cap and gown through the bookstore can come to the Usdan Administration Office on the dates below and borrow a set with a $40 deposit.  Cash or checks will be accepted for the deposit.

Loaners are available for pick up on May 8, 9, 10 from 9a.m. – 2p.m.

Supplies are limited, so be aware that the availability of the correct size of a cap and a gown for each student is not guaranteed.  It will need to be determined on a student-by-student basis.  If available, then seniors will complete a form acknowledging both the loan and the return deadline in order to get their deposit refunded.

Caps and gowns must be returned either on the day of commencement, May 28, by 3p.m. or the following business day, Tuesday, May 30 between 9a.m.-3p.m. (the office will not be open on Monday, May 29).   Seniors must still purchase their tassel ($7) from the bookstore since those are year specific.  If the caps supply is depleted, seniors can purchase them separately from the bookstore.

 

Name Pronunciation for Name Reading at Commencement Ceremony

To:   Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree From:  Rosie Villard, Administrative Assistant V

To ensure that your full legal name is spelled correctly on your diploma, we are asking you to confirm your diploma name.  Please confirm your name as soon as possible.

In your portfolio under Enrollment Status click on Diploma Names.  The name that we currently have on file will be displayed on this page.  If your name is correct, please click on Confirm/Update button at the bottom of the page.  If your name is not correct, please make any necessary corrections before selecting the Confirm/Update button.

Please note that you will only be able to update your name once per day – if you confirm your name in error, you will need to return to the page the following day to make any corrections.

If your name contains special characters or accents, please confirm the spelling of your name without the characters or accents.  In order to make sure that the special characters or accents appear correctly on your diploma, you will be asked to link to the Special Character Diploma Name Confirmation form and send it to the Registrar’s Office.

To make a correction to your legal name for all other university records, you will need to bring a form of legal identification (birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, or legal name change document if your name has been legally changed) to the Registrar’s Office.

The diploma name system will close on Sunday, April 23 at 11:59pm.