December 2007
The monthly e-newsletter for members of the UNCG Parent/Family Association


"How often do you study?" is a question we ask most of our students at the UNCG Learning Assistance Center. "It depends," is the answer we usually receive, meaning that many students study only when a test is around the corner. At this time of year, students begin to feel the pressure of looming final exams. This stress should serve as a reminder in the future to always prepare well in advance. Test dates should never dictate a student's rate of study. For effective test preparation, it is vital that students break this habit and schedule a time to study every day.

Students should develop a routine of studying 20 to 30 minutes immediately before and after every class and plan a time to review their notes or read their textbooks later that day. Implementing such a routine is essential for long-term memory and comprehension. Cramming for a test only stores information in a student's short-term memory, increasing the odds that a student will "blank" come test time. Students should never start preparing for a test a week before the exam, let alone the night before. Test preparation starts the very first day of the semester, or, short of that, test preparation should start today!

Many test-taking strategies are simple common sense: get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and show up on time. Such advice, however, can still be useful to college students. When taking a test, carefully read each question, don't speed through the exam, and use all of the time available to complete the test. Answer easy questions first to allow your brain time to prepare for the more difficult questions. Be sure to leave enough time to review your answers, but do not second-guess yourself and do not change your answers! Students often talk themselves out of an A and talk themselves into a C. Encourage your student to trust his or her instincts and believe in himself/herself, but above all prepare to succeed.

~ Erin Farrior, Assistant Director for Academic Skills, Learning Assistance Center
Paul McNeill, Learning Skills Graduate Assistant, Learning Assistance Center


 I'm very proud to say that I am about to enter my next to last set of finals here at UNCG and, man, have I come a long way from my days in high school. I was your typical student then: more focused on video games than statistics, worried about what this girl told my best friend's brother who overheard something a girl I like may or may not have said about me, and basically not worrying about academics because that kind of "stuff" just came easy to me. Well, I definitely had an awakening when I came to college. I thought that taking AP classes was just like taking college classes, and for the most part I was right. What I didn't factor into that equation was a social life. Who knew that college would be full of so many different opportunities? I felt like a kid in a candy store when it came to clubs and organizations and I took full advantage of the opportunities given to me.

Being a nursing major at UNCG is something quite special. For the first two years of school, every test was a measure of whether or not I would get into the Nursing School. There are certain classes here that turn a high school student into a college student. I remember the first time I actually had to sit down and devote precious video game time to reading a chemistry book. "When am I ever going to need to know the difference between a covalent bond and an ionic bond?" I thought to myself. What I didn't realize at the time was that the information wasn't important because I might be quizzed about bond types later in life; it was important because I was expanding my knowledge and learning about a variety of topics about which I may have never taken the time to learn. I'm not a dance major, but I can tell you the difference between a classical and modern ballet because of the dance appreciation class I took two years ago. Taking these classes that we sometimes see as pointless really opens our mind to other possibilities. My best friend came in as a theatre major his freshman year; he will be leaving in May as a Spanish Communication / International Business student. It is thanks to these seemingly "pointless" classes that we become who we were meant to be.

Since it is finals time and I have years of practice under my belt, I am going to share with you some of the "secrets" of doing well that I have fine-tuned as a student here at UNCG. Just in case you get a phone call that sounds eerily familiar to this, "Mom/Dad, I just can't do this. I don't know why I have to take this stupid class anyway. When am I ever going to use (insert random class factoid)? I just don't understand! They put four right answers on the test and we have to guess which one is the MOST right?! It's just not fair," you will be able to pull a few tricks from your hat to help your worried student.
  1. Yes, most tests are application based, ESPECIALLY for upper-level classes. There is a system of choosing the "most right" answer, but those vary from topic to topic. If it is a situational question, go with the answer that is needed more urgently or immediately. For example, in the nursing school there is always more than one right answer, but if it is asking for, "What would you do first?" your best bet is to check the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
  2. The University tells you to study 3 hours for every 1 hour you are in class. That means that if you are taking 18 hours of classes, you should study for 54 hours. This is a great idea, but realistically I would imagine that many students are not actually studying this much. I do, however, suggest starting to study for the exam weeks in advance. Sitting down and reviewing the notes for an hour or so will keep the information fresh in your mind. Studying the night before may allow you to remember the information for the test, but you can be sure that it will not stay in your mind for the long term. For the final exam, this is essential. A lot of finals are cumulative exams that cover all of the material talked about in class for the entire semester. This may require a little more dedication. Increasing your study time each night and focusing on your weak spots will make sure that you will do much better on this exam.
  3. Talking with your professor. If your student hasn't established a relationship with his or her professors yet, he or she is missing out on a great opportunity. Showing the professor that you are making an effort by talking to him or her during office hours or sending emails about what you need help with on your final or other assignments can make the difference between a "B" and an "A". **NOTE: They may even drop hints as to where to focus your attention when studying. They will say something along to lines of, "You may see this information again soon." Take those hints and run with them. It is likely information that will show up on the final. final.
  4. Study groups. Studying the same things over and over again is one way to study, but sitting down with other people from your class and discussing your notes can be a major help. For one, it allows you to speak what you wrote out loud. This has always helped me to better remember the information. The other great benefit of studying in groups is that you can't write down everything the professor says in class and someone else may have gotten additional information that you missed. Explaining processes and ideas out loud allows your mind to think differently.
  5. Sleep. You may be a procrastinator, but don't kill yourself the night before your big exam. If you are tired and your mind hasn't had time to rest, it may not be a good thing. My freshman year I actually overslept for my Chemistry 104 final because I stayed up too late the night before the exam. I slept right through the alarm clock. In a frantic mess, I was able to make up the exam (because of my good relationship with my professor). I don't know where I would be right now if it wasn't for the good will of a very nice professor. Don't get yourself in my shoes; it was not very fun.

These are just some tips that your student can take advantage of while preparing for those wonderful final exams. If there is one piece of advice I could give you for when your student calls, it would be to try not to upset him or her any more than he or she already is. Personally, I am a first generation college student. My parents didn't know what it was like to have these exams, juggle a social life, and deal with the everyday stressors of college. You may not fall under the same umbrella as my parents, but if you do, comments like, "I don't see what the big deal is?" or "You're more focused on your friends than you are on your school work," do not go over well with students. Granted, there are some cases where the student may be more focused on a social life than getting the grades, but maybe he or she hasn't been able to find a good balance between doing his or her work and maintaining good relationships. That happy balance can only be found with time. I wish all of your students good luck on exams and encourage you to cherish the time that you are together during the winter break.

~ Justin Kelley, Senior Nursing Major, Spartan Orientation Coordinator, Orientation & Family Programs


UNCG students enrolled in degree seeking programs AND taking 6 or more main campus credit hours must submit proof of creditable health insurance at the beginning of each semester. Students covered by their own or their family's plan simply verify their policy through a secure on-line system (http://www.uncg.edu/shs/insurance/verification.php) with current creditable health insurance policy information. Students who do not provide verifiable health insurance information by Saturday, February 2, 2008 will automatically be enrolled in a campus-endorsed student health insurance plan and billed $365.00 for each semester.

The campus-endorsed student health insurance policy is part of a UNC System plan, negotiated each year through the insurance agent for the state of North Carolina. The student plan is designed to balance coverage and cost and is tailored to meet reasonably anticipated student needs.

For more information about the health insurance requirement, please visit http://www.uncg.edu/shs/insurance/faq.php.


All residence halls will close on Thursday, December 20th at 5pm for winter break. They will remain closed until 9am on Tuesday, January 8th. Students are to leave campus within 24 hours of their last final exam. Residents will not be able to obtain access to residence halls between these dates; it is important that residents take all needed items home during the break. Residents are not required to take belongings home; however, it is recommended that valuable items be taken and items be removed from the floor or stored in waterproof containers to protect them in the event of a plumbing emergency.

Limited winter break housing is available for students that cannot leave during the University holiday; those interested should contact hrl@uncg.edu or visit the Housing & Residence Life website at http://hrl.uncg.edu.

Should a student decide not to return to UNCG in the spring, the student must complete a cancellation form, found at http://hrl.uncg.edu. There will be no check-outs or access to rooms from December 22nd to January 2nd. Those wanting to check-out beginning January 3rd can come to the Housing & Residence Life office between 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday.

Should you have any questions regarding break housing, closing, or returning to campus, do not hesitate to e-mail hrl@uncg.edu or call 336.334.5636.


The December Commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 20th at 10:00am at the Greensboro Coliseum. This ceremony will be for August and December 2007 graduates. The ceremony will last approximately two and one half hours and students will need to arrive for the ceremony by 9:15am at the Special Events Center. The Commencement speaker will be Dr. Roberto Campo, UNCG faculty member in the Department of Romance Languages and recipient of the 2007 Alumni Teaching Excellence Award.

A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony for graduates and guests in the East Wing of the Special Events Center. During the December Commencement ceremony, names of all degree candidates are announced as they walk across the stage, receive their diploma covers, and shake hands with the Chancellor. Arrangements have been made for a professional photographer to take a photo of each graduate as he or she crosses the stage and is congratulated by Chancellor Sullivan and as he or she exits the stage. Your student will be sent an email with the link to the photographer's website through his or her UNCG email account following the ceremony. Your student will be able to order pictures through the photographer's website.

If your student is planning on attending the ceremony, he or she will need to RSVP by December 6th. If your student has not already done so, he or she may RSVP on-line at: http://web.uncg.edu/reg/forms/rsvp/student.asp.

Parking at the Greensboro Coliseum is free and unlimited in the general parking lots. No parking pass is needed. Seating at the Coliseum is also unlimited and tickets are not required. For those attending the ceremony, please be aware that there is an ice surface under the floor of the Coliseum and it may be chilly inside. Please dress warmly.

Additionally, please be aware that the Greensboro Coliseum has increased its security measures in recent years. Purses, and possibly coats, may be checked on Commencement day and we suggest that you leave any packages, balloons, flowers, or other gifts for graduates in your vehicles as these may be confiscated in the Coliseum.

If you have a student graduating, congratulations and enjoy Commencement! It is a time of celebration for the entire family, not just the graduate. If you have any further questions about December Commencement, please visit the Commencement Central website at http://www.uncg.edu/reg/CommencementCentral.html or contact Abby McCrillis in the University Registrar's Office at 336.334.3724.


December 2007 Academic Calendar

12/10
  • Last day of classes

    • 12/11
  • Final date for complete clearance of December graduate degree candidates

  • Reading Day

    • 12/12 - 12/14
  • Final examinations

    • 12/15
  • Tentative official final exam makeup day

    • 12/17-12/19
  • Final examinations

    • 12/21
  • December Commencement, Greensboro Coliseum

    • 12/12 - 12/14
  • Tentative official final exam makeup day

    • 12/15
  • Tentative official final exam makeup day
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    Please see the University Registrar's Office website
    for additional information, http://www.uncg.edu/reg/    .














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