• Get sleep! Plan your studying so that you do not need to do any 'all-nighters.' Sleep deprived individuals rarely do high quality work. You'll get the paper done faster by getting proper sleep. Final exams ask you to think clearly and sleep deprived individuals tend to make silly errors. Hence, a good night's rest may be more productive than extra hours of cramming.

• Eat properly! Healthy eating can reduce stress. Use your meals as a time to relax with friends.

• Exercise! It will help you feel better and calmer and will help you sleep. Hence, don't put off exercise during finals.

• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs! They are not healthy stress reducers. Partying during final exams, moreover, can add to your stress if you waste time recovering from partying.

• Allocate your study time appropriately! Study the things you don't already know as opposed to things you do know. Spend your study time in areas in which it will do the most good. Hence, if you want to maximize your grade point average, spend your time studying for classes where your grade is borderline. (Of course, don't completely ignore studying for classes where your grade is solid). To allocate your time efficiently, you need to know your grade in the class and how much difference the final can make on your grade.

• Know the times of your exams! Set your alarm and arrive early to make yourself comfortable and ready to take the exam. The final exam schedule is at http://www.truman.edu/pages/463.asp

• Read directions! When responding to essay questions, make sure your response relates to the essay prompt.

• Use time on exams wisely! In deciding how much time to spend on a question, look at the question's worth. Don't spend half your time on a question that is only worth 5 points out of 100.

You have just about made it through your first semester.  In a week or so you will be heading home for a well deserved break. You may be looking forward to some downtime in the comfort of a familiar environment where you can enjoy association with your family and friends.  Everything, however, may not be exactly as you imagine. 

You have changed over the last few months. You have learned to do your own laundry, organize your own living space, structure your own time, and make your own decisions. You have become more independent. Your family may expect you to be the same person you were when you left. They may expect you to respond to their requests, their schedule, and their rules just as you did when you were in high school.

You may hope to spend time with friends over break. Your family may have different expectations. They may want to spend every waking minute with you. Any desire on your part to spend your time away from them may seem hurtful and inconsiderate.

A heart-to-heart conversation with your family may prevent painful relationship difficulties. Ask about their expectations and respectfully share yours. Compromises may be necessary. If you express your love to them with words and behaviors, they may feel more secure about your relationships when you spend time with friends.  They will more easily learn to trust you as an adult if you act as an adult. 

Going back home may present relationship challenges. With patience, honesty, respect, and consideration you can successfully navigate these challenges.

Pickler Memorial Library is open extra hours from Sunday, December 4 until the end of final exams. With the exception of Friday, December 9, the Library is open until 2 am every morning. For a complete listing of hours go to http://library.truman.edu/about-us/hours.htm

The Student Recreation Center holds regular hours during final exams. It is open from 6:30 am to 11 pm Monday through Thursday; from 6:30 am to 9 pm on Friday; from 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday; and from 11 am to 7 pm on Sunday.

The entire article can be found at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2001910958_cronin25.html