The Journal
Page 8
Finals are creeping up, prepare now By Lori Beckham Assistant Editor for Features
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s the fall semester is coming to a close, full time students might be overwhelmed by the approaching finals week. There are ways to ease that anxiety and get some work done; one source for help is the Center of Teaching and Learning (CTL). The CTL is a place where students can get free tutoring on writing, from brainstorming topics to looking over the first draft. A student just needs to make an appointment with a tutor for a time that fits his or her schedule or attend one of the walk-in sessions. Unfortunately the time to make appointments may have passed. The newest writing specialist and clinical instructor from the CTL, Sarah Collins, explained. “We’ve been crazy busy and we didn’t expect to be booked that quickly…As of yesterday [Nov. 29], the earliest appointment available was Dec. 10.” Collins said that the number of student appointments have raised significantly since last semester (an extra 200 students) because of the higher number of admissions and the doubled requirement from English composition students. “The bulk of papers are from ENG 101 and 102,” explained Collins, “because they are required to be up here [CTL] four times a semester. Previously it was only two times per semester. It’s added to how busy we get.” Collins said the CTL has a waiting list for students; “We do have cancellations, we do have no-shows, so there’s always a chance if it’s a short paper.” For those unable to schedule an appointment with a tutor, there are several things to do to be prepared. Collins’s first tip for stressed students is to get organized. Read Syllabi in Advance “Even before finals week… look at your syllabus. See your due dates. ‘What do I need to do for this class?’” She said mapping out all projects on a planner or a calendar will help students
prioritize their finals preparation. Reading each syllabus early will set dates in order, but also reading the descriptions for each final will give them time to brainstorm and research for essays. For exams, it will give students an idea of when and how long they should study for each exam. Get Away From It All Collins noted that it can be challenging for dorm students to get away from distractions while studying. “Find a quiet place where you cannot be bothered by your friends, the TV, and all of these things. We have a solarium up here [Brookens Library, fourth floor] that have really comfy couches and desk space and tables, so if students are looking for a place to [study], we have a nice area.” In addition, the Women’s Center [SLB] has a study area in their lounge from 2-10 p.m., Sun.-Wed. until Dec. 19. “Distractions are so easy when you’re doing something you don’t want to do,” said Collins. “So if you can avoid those distractions as much as possible, that would help.” Get Help From Peers If a student can’t get a tutor to look over his/her essay, just another pair of eyes can help according to Joey Cruse, a graduate teaching assistant (TA). Cruse is used to helping students with their papers, but as a student himself he also turns to his colleagues at the CTL. He said, “If you sit there and don’t practice what you preach, then it’s stupid; why not get another pair of eyes on it, especially if you have such talented people around you? You should use your resources if you have them…have someone read your work out loud.” For exams, Collins added that study groups are ideal if manageable. If Really Anxious Cruse has worked with anxious students at the end of semesters. “Making someone comfortable is probably the first thing to do with an anxious student,” he said.
Finals
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Holiday Trivia • While in North America we use stockings as gift holders, some countries like Holland and France use shoes for the same purpose. • • “Mistletoe” literally means “dung twig”. The name comes from the fact that mistletoe typically spring from bird droppings that have fallen on trees, grown from the seeds that have passed through the birds’ digestive tract. • • All the gifts in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” would equal to 364 gifts. • • President Theodore Roosevelt, an environmentalist, was against cutting down trees for decoration. He even banned Christmas trees from the White House during his presidency. • • “X” is from the Greek letter Chi, the first letter of the word “Christ.” That is where the abbreviation “Xmas” comes from. • • “Jingle Bells” was written to be a Thanksgiving song for a church in Savanna, Georgia, 1857. It was so well accepted that it was sung again for Christmas, becoming one of the most popular Christmas carols. • • Some parts of Evergreen trees are edible and a good source of Vitamin C, but holly berries are poisonous. • • How many homes does Santa have to visit on Christmas? 842 million. How fast must he travel to visit all those homes? Over 4 million mph. • • There is an old wives’ tale that if bread is baked on Christmas Eve, it will last forever. Not recommended to find out. Recipes
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quickly, cheese should not melt fast. Remove from oven when golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately. [I served the mozzarella balls with a store bought marina sauce] Chocolate-Covered OREO Cookie Cake (Kraft recipe) 1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil’s food cake mix 4 squares BAKER’S SemiSweet Chocolate ¼ cup butter 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened ½ cup sugar 2 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping 12 OREO Cookies, coarsely crushed Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake batter and bake
in 2 (9-inch) round pans as directed on package [Neither pan will be completely full. Try to make sure that both pans have the same amount of batter in them so that the layers will be even]. Cool cakes in pans 10 min. Invert onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely. Microwave chocolate and butter in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Cool 5 min. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gently stir in COOL WHIP and crushed cookies. Place one cake layer on plate, spread with cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread top with chocolate glaze; let stand 10 min. or until firm. Keep refrigerated.
We served the mozzarella balls as an appetizer along with a veggie tray (carrots, tomatoes, celery, and peas in the pod with ranch dipping sauce) and a port cheese wine spread (store bought) with crackers. It was the perfect beginning to a cheese filled night. The mac and cheese really hit the spot. The breadcrumbs really set this recipe apart from other mac and cheese recipes I have made. The OREO cookie cake (If you are wondering how this fit in—cream cheese filling, silly!) was amazing. The recipe warns that this will become a requested birthday cake among your guests and they were right- my boyfriend has already requested it for his upcoming birthday. Hope you enjoy these recipes! Happy Holidays!