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April 22, 2025
Daylight: 16:03:45
Last week of classes!!
Woohoo!! Way to go! You have got this!
You are down to just a handful of days left in the semester. The finish line is just
up ahead. Now is the time to give it all you’ve got. Get up in the stirrups and let
the (mental) horses run for home!
You made it through 14 weeks of classes and come from the pit of winter darkness into
the brilliance of April sunshine and warmth. What an amazing journey. You have read
chapters and chapters, completed papers and projects, knocked out quizzes and exams,
and stretched your brain to its limits. It is all about to pay off with one final
hurdle – you have got this.
Over the weekend, I was on campus and I saw students hustling here and there, hitting
the books and putting in the time. I am so impressed with the commitment I saw – I
know you are juggling so much, and I am so proud of you. Many of you are balancing
family issues and job issues, and you are doing so great. Stay focused, hang in there,
and get it done.
Let’s get real about finals for a moment. Obviously, these tests and capstone projects
are designed to allow your instructors to assess what you have learned in your courses.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of assessments, formative and summative. In
fact, there is a whole science behind learning and – it is fascinating stuff. Formative assessments feature things like feedback and
opportunities for improvement that help you to develop and ‘form’ your ongoing understanding.
Summative assessments are designed to test the sum of your understanding. They are
usually at the end of a unit or a course. This is important because, by design, there
isn’t usually an opportunity to go back and revisit and deepen your understanding
for additional or future assessment. A summative assessment is the end of the road.
We call them ‘finals’ for a reason. They are the Super Bowl, the World Series, and
the World Cup of the assessment world.
The stakes are often higher with summative assessments, and they are often more stressful
than formative assessments – but they don’t have to be. Or, at least, that doesn’t
mean you need to succumb to the negative aspects of unhelpful stress. If I gave you
a copy of next week’s finals today, your stress would diminish considerably. Here’s
a secret: In many cases, you already have the exact material that is going to be on
that summative assessment. The trick is to sort through all of the information you’ve
received over the past weeks (depending on whether your final exam is cumulative or
not) and correctly anticipate what sorts of understandings you are going to be asked
to demonstrate.Ìý
How do you anticipate that? The pro move is to go to those study sessions, read the
study guides, go over your notes and texts for key concepts, and compare your predictions
for what is going to be on the exam with a friend or your study group. Then, put the
time in. There is no shortcut. The pros put the time in.
Also, take care of yourself in the coming days. Try to avoid all-nighters. Eat right.
Sleep right. You are a highly trained professional (learning) athlete. Feed your body
and brain the fuel it needs. Watch out for sugar and caffeine bombs that will rob
you of your energy down the road. Go for the nuts, fruits, proteins, and fats! Stay
the course and keep your pace!
Energize, strategize, prioritize. Stay focused and put in the time. You are doing
awesome!
Things to do:
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Get registered! I have said it before, I will say it again. Meet with your advisor.
Register for your fall classes. Get it done. Nanook Advising is hosting a "" Enrollment Event on Thursday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the Student Success Center (with online advising options).
Most of the major advisors and CTC will also be there! If you register for 12+ credits before May 16, you will automatically be entered
to win one of five $1,000 scholarships.
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Join ASºÚÁϺÚÀúÊ· on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m. in the Wood Center multilevel lounge. Your student government is eager
to listen to your experiences and concerns at ºÚÁϺÚÀúÊ·. Feel free to stop by to ask questions
or share your thoughts! You can RSVP via Nanook Engage or simply come to the event.
In closing, take a moment to breathe. You have come so far in the term, make sure
to play your best game, and lay down your best performances in the days ahead. However,
keep your perspective. Your academic achievements aren’t everything. Take care of
yourself. Appreciate your friends and loved ones. Get outside in the fresh air and
sunshine. Whatever lessons you’ve learned this semester, you’ll have ample opportunity
to apply next semester. Do your best, but try to hold your stress about finals in
a positive place. You will feel better as you spend time investing in yourself and
your preparations for the assessments yet to come.
As ever, if you have suggestions to send my way, please do so. I’m at: obguthrie@alaska.edu.
— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management
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