final

FINAL EXAM

Monday, May 5, 1:30 - 3:00 PM, HUMN 150

Note: this exam should take one hour to complete, as the standards are equal to those of the midterm (total possible points: 20). You will have a maximum of one and a half hours to complete the exam. Do not bring notes into the exam room. The course web page will notify you when the grades are available.

There are four possible questions that could be on your FINAL exam. On the day of the final, you will be asked to write on ONE essay question from a choice of TWO. You will not know which two of the four will be your exam questions until you come in the room. You will need to buy your blue book in the book store for about $.25. As was the case with the midterm, there are no notes allowed in class on the day of the final exam. Please bring a few pens.

Here are my recommendations for preparing for the final (they are the same as for the midterm, plus one):

1. Make sure that you understand why you received the grade that you did on the midterm. If you have any questions about how you could have done better, please see the person who graded your midterm for further clarification (#1, 5 - Jin; #2, 7 - Mary; #3, 8 - Yuri; #4, 6 - Dr. Clark). Several of these sessions have already taken place and I believe that it would be worth your time to have this consultation. THEN:

2. Choose the one question you absolutely dislike the most, and discard it. Remember, you'll always have a choice of two, even though you don't know which two, so...well, you can do the math.

3. Organize your thoughts into outline form for each of the remaining questions, thinking carefully about how you will organize your argument in writing. The more detailed your outline, the better.

4. Write a first sentence for each of the questions, or possibly a first paragraph.

5. Write a concluding sentence.

6. If you're planning on participating in a study group, I'd recommend doing all of the steps above before attending. But don't share your organization or sentences with others; everyone has to come up with his/her own and you won't want yours to look too much like someone else's. Instead, go to the study group with specific questions, such as examples you'd like to flesh out or things you believe you might have missed, or perhaps information or insights that a classmate might bring from a different context (e.g., another class, personal experience, etc.).

Personally, I've never been a big fan of study groups, because it's too easy to have the procrastinators poaching on those who are more well-prepared. You either end up feeling guilty and disturbed by others' preparedness, or you feel exploited by others' lack of preparedness. Study groups can also be a breeding-ground for unnecessary panic, time-consuming venting, and group-sanctioned procrastination that can quickly devolve into psychoanalysis of yourself, your TA, and/or your professor. You don't have time for that. I think a better strategy is to talk with one or maybe two friends about your concerns and questions.

7. On the day before the test, memorize your outlines as best you can, along with your first and concluding sentences. Then, get a good night's sleep (yes, I remember that this is college, but I feel like I have to say that!).

8. Finally, be on time so as to maximize your writing time.


		last updated: 4/28/03 FINAL EXAM Monday, May 5, 1:30 - 3:00 PM, HUMN 150 Note: this exam should take one hour to complete, as the standards are equal to those of the midterm (total possible points: 20). You will have a maximum of one and a half hours to complete the exam. Do not bring notes into the exam room. The course web page will notify you when the grades are available. There are four possible questions that could be on your FINAL exam. On the day of the final, you will be asked to write on ONE essay question from a choice of TWO. You will not know which two of the four will be your exam questions until you come in the room. You will need to buy your blue book in the book store for about $.25. As was the case with the midterm, there are no notes allowed in class on the day of the final exam. Please bring a few pens. Here are my recommendations for preparing for the final (they are the same as for the midterm, plus one): 1. Make sure that you understand why you received the grade that you did on the midterm. If you have any questions about how you could have done better, please see the person who graded your midterm for further clarification (#1, 5 - Jin; #2, 7 - Mary; #3, 8 - Yuri; #4, 6 - Dr. Clark). Several of these sessions have already taken place and I believe that it would be worth your time to have this consultation. THEN: 2. Choose the one question you absolutely dislike the most, and discard it. Remember, you'll always have a choice of two, even though you don't know which two, so...well, you can do the math. 3. Organize your thoughts into outline form for each of the remaining questions, thinking carefully about how you will organize your argument in writing. The more detailed your outline, the better. 4. Write a first sentence for each of the questions, or possibly a first paragraph. 5. Write a concluding sentence. 6. If you're planning on participating in a study group, I'd recommend doing all of the steps above before attending. But don't share your organization or sentences with others; everyone has to come up with his/her own and you won't want yours to look too much like someone else's. Instead, go to the study group with specific questions, such as examples you'd like to flesh out or things you believe you might have missed, or perhaps information or insights that a classmate might bring from a different context (e.g., another class, personal experience, etc.). Personally, I've never been a big fan of study groups, because it's too easy to have the procrastinators poaching on those who are more well-prepared. You either end up feeling guilty and disturbed by others' preparedness, or you feel exploited by others' lack of preparedness. Study groups can also be a breeding-ground for unnecessary panic, time-consuming venting, and group-sanctioned procrastination that can quickly devolve into psychoanalysis of yourself, your TA, and/or your professor. You don't have time for that. I think a better strategy is to talk with one or maybe two friends about your concerns and questions. 7. On the day before the test, memorize your outlines as best you can, along with your first and concluding sentences. Then, get a good night's sleep (yes, I remember that this is college, but I feel like I have to say that!). 8. Finally, be on time so as to maximize your writing time.