Dean of students: Study strong during finals

Dean of Students Lori Berquam and the Division of Student Life are encouraging students to “study strong” as the semester reaches its final stage.

“I know it can be a stressful time, and I want to give everyone a final burst of encouragement to push through,” says Lori Berquam, dean of students. “I know for a fact that we admit smart, resourceful students who are capable of succeeding every semester.”

Berquam says there is an array of resources available to those in need of last minute academic help. But students should also be mindful of academic expectations and avoid cutting corners, such as plagiarizing papers or cheating on exams.

“While grades are important, your time here is really all about learning and synthesizing information,” she says. “By cutting corners, you really end up cheating yourself.”

Faculty and staff are putting greater emphasis on academic integrity this semester through participation in numerous trainings about ways to prevent students from engaging in academic misconduct.

Professors have been clearer about their expectations of students by placing information in their syllabi as well as some having their students sign a classroom integrity statement. Berquam and Yolanda Garza, an assistant dean and academic integrity expert in the Division of Student Life pass along the following end-of-semester study suggestions:

— Utilize campus academic resources, such as 24-hour Libraries, the Writing Center or Greater University Tutoring Service;

— You may paraphrase from the web, but be sure that you’re crediting the source;

— Work or study in groups, but make sure that your collaboration is in synch with the stated rules of the course;

— University Health Services offers numerous resources for students feeling stressed out, run down or anxious. They range from simple stress-reduction techniques to free downloadable MP3 relaxation exercises, massage therapy or even meetings with professional counselors.

— Students interested in receiving a free one-on-one session with a counselor should call the main UHS number at 608-265-5600 to schedule an appointment. Students can call the same number to make an appointment for 50 minutes of massage therapy for $40;

— More stress resources are available from UHS here;

— Get enough sleep. All-nighters are a part of finals lore, but studies have shown the brain remembers better and functions more efficiently with at least four to six hours of sleep;

— Eat right. A diet of pizza and energy drinks will probably compound a rundown feeling and reduce your ability to focus. Aim for a balanced diet, including plenty of protein and complex carbohydrates;

— Take brief and frequent study breaks — even five minutes per hour — to avoid feeling overloaded and,

— Talk with your instructor or TA if you become overwhelmed.

For more information about academic integrity, contact Yolanda Garza in the Division of Student Life, (608) 263-5700, ygarza@studentlife.wisc.edu.