Finals week is often the most stressful part of any semester and the Fall 2023 term is no exception. SNHU students are ready to relax and recharge over winter break but first, they have to tackle their semester’s biggest assignments.
For some students, finals week stress stems from having all their exams and projects due in a short time frame.
“In one class, you might have a final paper due and then you have a presentation, then you might have an exam on top of that. That’s a lot to handle all at once,” said Lea Baum (’24).
Full-time students take a minimum of four classes per semester, so the deadlines can pile up quickly. Baum believes a class structure that spreads out major assignments across several weeks is ideal.
“In one of my classes in sophomore year, we had our final paper due before Thanksgiving. Then when we came back, we were preparing for the final exam,” said Baum. “With the paper due before the break, we could let go of that stress and move on to something different.”
Baum, among other students, has found this finals season particularly stressful. Professors have also noticed this trend.
“This entire term has felt like a return to pre-COVID normality. I see the stress and anxiety manifesting more, especially during this window of time between Thanksgiving and the end of the semester,” said Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, Selina Marcille.
Professors are great resources during finals week. Although they assign the final assessments, Alicia Fiore (’23) believes that SNHU faculty make every effort to accommodate their students.
“My teachers are usually really considerate and they know that we’re burnt out,” said Fiore. “[They] usually try to get us out a day early and I’ve even had a few professors extend deadlines based on the general stress of the class.”
Professors can help students through their SNHU email and during their office hours, which are listed on the course syllabus.
“We’re people, too. We recognize that you have multiple priorities and things going on in your life,” Marcille said. “Your professors can’t do anything to support you if they don’t know that you need the support, so communicate with them. Talk about options and advocate for yourself.”
SNHU also has resources in place to help students stay on top of their academics and health during finals week. The Wolak Learning Center (WLC), located on the second floor of the Shapiro Library, is open from 11am-7pm from Monday to Thursday and 9:30am-1pm on Friday. The Wellness Center also offers counseling to help students manage their stress. On-campus services are available between 8am-4:30pm every weekday on walk-in and appointment bases.
For more information about peer tutoring, sign into the WLC website with your SNHU email and password. Students looking to access the Wellness Center can walk in, call (603) 645-9679, or email wellness@snhu.edu.
