The Final Stretch Checklist
You are almost finished with your first semester of college! Although you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, we want to make sure you finish out strong because the end is just as important as the beginning. We have this Final Stretch Checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything during your last weeks.
- » This Week: November 14-18
☐ Ensure you are registered for Spring 2024 classes.
☐ Map your final exam schedule.
You can find your final exam schedule by checking the syllabus for each course or by using the Final Exam Schedule website. If you are unsure, it's always best to check with each professor!
☐ Calculate your current grade in each class.
Use your professor's grading scale; remember this can be different for each course, so make sure to review the syllabus for this information. Knowing how you stand in each course will help you prioritize your studying time.
☐ Lay out your remaining assignments!
Determine what assignments you can go ahead and finish ahead of time to allow for more studying later.
- » Next Week: November 19-25
☐ Prioritize.
Don't underestimate this short week! Make sure you go ahead and plan out and prioritize your school work and make any needed adjustments to your study schedule. This short week and holiday break can be a great time to catch up on any assignments you may have fallen behind on.
☐ Create a study plan.
Divide your time accordingly and evaluate which exams will need more of your attention. Creating a study plan will help you stay on track and ensure you are adequately dividing your time.
☐ Schedule tutoring from within TechConnect.
Remember that you can get free tutoring through Tech's Library! If your subject is more specific, reach out to your instructor for a one-on-one meeting; your professor may also be able to help you with how you should focus your studying for the course. It's best to schedule these sessions early!
☐ Enjoy the holiday weekend!
If you are traveling for the Thanksgiving Holiday, take your studying material with you for any opportunities you may have to knock out any last assignments. Studying is important, but don't forget to also spend some time relaxing with your friends and family!
- » Dead Week: November 26-December 2
☐ Go to class!
It may feel easy to skip class this week, but your professors may go over important material that will be on the exam. This is definitely a week of class you don't want to miss!
☐ Have some fun with friends and attend Lighting the Quad.
Lighting the Quad is a fun holiday tradition here on campus. It'll be a wonderful stress-free event to attend during your study break! This year's event will take place on November 28 at 5:30pm on Main Quad.
☐ Make sure you are prepared for exams by acquiring necessary materials ahead of time.
Make sure you are prepared for exam days by having plenty of pencils and testing supplies (like scantrons). It's better to be over-prepared and have these ahead of time than scrambling at the last minute for needed supplies.
☐ Take breaks and get some rest.
While it may feel like skipping meals and staying up all night to study will buy you some time, you aren’t doing yourself or your body any favors by doing these things. Eating healthy meals and getting sleep on a consistent schedule will actually help you be more focused and alert so you can be more productive and efficient.
☐ Complete any outstanding assignments from earlier in the semester.
If you have any incomplete assignments from earlier in the semester, check with your professor to see if you can complete them for partial credit.
☐ Confirm your final exam schedule.
Confirm your final exam schedule again. Confirm the date, time, and location with your professor to make sure you have everything right! This will ease some stress during finals week.
☐ If you live on campus... Stay on campus this weekend.
This may be your last weekend with your roommate before going home for the winter break. Plan something fun together in Cookeville before everyone heads home for the holidays.
- » Finals Week: December 3-8
☐ Keep studying and stick to the study plan you created.
Hopefully your study plan has helped you delegate your time for the most efficient learning. Use this week to brush up on any last content you may need a refresher on. You shouldn't be learning the material for the first time during this week!
☐ The night before an exam...
Avoid all-nighters! Your time at night before a big exam is best spent resting your mind so you can best process all of the information and ensure you perform at your best the next day.
☐ Wake up on time and eat a good breakfast.
Even if breakfast isn't your thing and you haven't had it all semester, eating a good breakfast before an exam can help properly fuel your body and enable your brain and body to function at its best.
☐ Pack it up!
If you plan on heading home for the holiday break, consider using study breaks and time in between exams to start packing up any necessary items you plan on taking with you. If you live in the residence halls, your RA will provide additional details to you about move-out processes.
☐ Use any remaining dining dollars or put them to a good cause.
If you had a meal plan with dining dollars, make sure to use any remaining balance you may have since these do not roll over to the next semester. If you are in the giving spirit, you can always purchase items to donate to the Tech Food Pantry or follow @TNTechDining on Instagram to find other ways to put your remaining dollars to help those in need.
☐ Check your final grades.
Your professors have until 10:00am (central) on December 11 to post final grades. Log into Eagle Online to see your final grades for the semester. If you fail a class that is a prerequisite for one of your spring semester courses, reach out to your advisor to discuss next steps.
