Study Tips for Finals

By Marcia Lee
Serials Specialist

It’s that time again – time to start consolidating everything you have learned this semester in your classes and begin preparing for your final exams!  (On the bright side this also means that summer is almost here & that makes it better, right?)  Finals week this semester is from April 29th – May 2nd, with commencement falling on May 3rd.

To help you begin preparation below are some study tips:

• Alternate study spaces (first floor, then second floor of the library – perhaps?)  – it has been found that changing up your study location may help you retain more information.
• Participate in a study group – this can be a positive thing, to learn and study with peers but only if studying is actually on the agenda otherwise it may just be a distraction.
• Make & use flashcards – “oldie, but a goodie” writing down concepts and vocab helps to cement them in your head.
• Sleep! – this may be my personal favorite, it is crucial to get enough sleep the days leading up to your exams in order to make sure your mind is functioning at its full potential.
• Don’t categorize yourself – have you ever been told you’re a “visual learner” or a perhaps a “hands on learner”, when attempting to find study strategies be sure to try things outside of your “learning style box”.
• Don’t overload yourself with information – start looking over notes and textbooks now, so you’ll slowly absorb the information versus waiting to cram the night before your test. (Yes, this is easier said than done).
• Finally, come to our Exam Cram Event on April 27^th & 28^th for quiet studying, FREE refreshments and tutoring help!

For these study tips and more check out these posts:  9 Awesome Study Tips for College Students from Huffington Post or Study Tips & Study Skills.

 

Good Reads for Spring Break

By Marcia Lee
Serials Specialist

With Spring Break coming up in a couple of weeks, the question is do you have books to read over vacation?  Whether you are headed out of state to a nice warm beach or planning on staying here in Michigan, staying out of the cold, both options are ideal opportunities to soak in some good books!

Perhaps you plan on using the break to focus on you or pick up a new hobby but need some more information on the “how to’s” of what you want to do?  If this is the case we have countless books on our shelves that can fulfill this void in your life and guide you through it!  If you’re looking for a quick fiction read the GRCC Library can help with that too!  We may have it here on our shelves, but if we don’t there’s no reason to fret, you can always order popular fiction titles through MeLCat or RaiderLoan!  Don’t wait until the last minute if you want to have those books in hand before break, order today! J

Need help narrowing down options?  Below you’ll find a list of possible choices for your vacation read!

NEW BOOKS:

• The End of Men: and the Rise of Women by Hanna Rosin
• Hacking the Future: privacy, identity and anonymity on the web by Cole Stryker
• Oddly Normal: one family’s struggle to help their teenage son come to terms with his sexuality by John Swartz
• On Monsters: an unnatural history of our worst fears by Stephen T. Asma

“HOW TO’S”(informational) :

• The Science of Yoga: the risks and the rewards by William J. Broad
• Before and After Resumes: how to turn a good resume into a great one by Tracy Burns-Martin
• Stepping Up: how taking responsibility changes everything by John Izzo
• The Everything Hot Sauce Book: from growing to pickling and preparing – all you need to add some spice to your life! by Angela Garbes

FICTION:

• Detroit Breakdown by D.E. Johnson
• Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed

Exam Cram – a Final Note

By Marcia Lee
Serials Specialist

YOU’RE DONE!! Pat yourself on the back, finals week has come to an end!  We hope that the Exam Cram event held here at the Library last weekend aided in your studying efforts.  If you have any feedback about the event there is still an open survey & you can complete it by clicking HERE.

We would like to thank Student Life, Campus Police, Facilities, Academic Support, Campus Dining and J Bos Vending Services for making this event a success!

A couple of statistics from the event:

• Saturday – the event averaged 52 people/hour
• Sunday – the event averaged 68 people/hour

Enjoy your break – FREE OF STUDYING!! Happy Holidays!

Exam Cram Survey

Did you attend Exam Cram this past weekend? If you did & haven’t completed our survey yet, we would really appreciate it if you could provide some feedback!

Click the link below to take the survey – we want the good, the bad & the ugly – to help us plan future Exam Cram events!

Thank you and good luck on exams this week!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ExamCram2012

Extended hours for Exam Cram!

Exam Cram Fall 2012 is THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND!

Last year’s Exam Cram events were such a success that GRCC’s Library is offering it again!  What is Exam Cram? Think extended quiet study hours in the library, smiling tutors and library staff, along with beverages and snacks to keep study strength up!  This semester’s Exam Cram will be held:

Saturday, 12/8/2012: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday, 12/9/2012: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Exam Cram is co-sponsored by J. Bos Vending Services, Academic Support, Campus Activities, and the Library & Learning Commons. There will be library staff and tutors in multiple subject areas available during Exam Cram hours.  Please park in the Bostwick (Main) parking lot. No registration required. Tutoring subjects may be limited.