With the end of the semester three weeks away, students in the Parcells Hall fourth floor lobby play video games in an area designated for school-related work.
Procrastination: Everyone does it at one point or another.
Finals are coming up, and deadlines need to be met in less than a month.
Students are racing the clock, and many may be overwhelmed.
Amarillo College offers a counseling service for students who are stressing out and need advice for finals.
Counselors are located in the Student Service Center on the Washington Street Campus.
Many students say they enjoy studying material for finals in groups rather than by themselves.
Some say it helps them retain the information better.
“I like to study with a classmate,” said Josseline Trujillo, a surgical technology major. “If I study by myself, I cannot focus.”
Trujillo said that if she absolutely has to study by herself, she will read everything out loud.
Other students find their own study habits to make sure they keep as much information as possible.
Christian Loter, a Web design major, said he has bad learning habits and does most of his studying late at night.
Like most students interviewed, Loter would prefer to study in a group.
“They may know how to do something that you do not,” he said.
Others like to be alone when they study because it can help with distractions.
“I prefer to study alone to make sure I don’t goof around,” said Matthew Gutierrez, a biology major. “And I don’t have to wait on people to show up.”
Although getting a good night’s rest and having a healthy breakfast the day of the test is the best option, that may not always be the case for some college students.
“Finals require knowledge,” Loter said. “It’s harder to remember when you’re sleepy.”
Sleep also can affect the way students interact with each other.
“If you don’t have enough sleep, then you’re in a bad mood,” Gutierrez said. “You just rush through the test and end up failing.”
When it comes to breakfast before the exam, a student does not need to have a big breakfast.
A small one will do just fine. A protein smoothie with some fruit or a parfait can make great on-the-go meals.
Trujillo said she has Greek yogurt and water every morning.
Amarillo also has plenty of studying hot spots from Hardback Cafe at Hastings to Roasters Coffee and Tea Company.
Such locations have light music and a friendly atmosphere, plus coffee to keep you going.
Trujillo recommends going to Roasters to get studying done.
“It has a very chill atmosphere and great coffee,” she said. “It’s not too loud.”
If you have classes on the Washington Street Campus, another great place is the Lynn Library.
“I recommend going to the fourth floor of the library and going to the back of the room,” Gutierrez said. “It’s quiet and peaceful.”
Some students really enjoy listening to some kind of music while they study.
Loter said he listens to heavy rock while he, as a Web designer, stares at codes on the screen.
Finals week is hell week on every college campus.
“Take a deep breath, listen to music and continue to study,” Gutierrez said.
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