During final exams, you will need to remember two things:
(1) ways to reduce your exam stress and (2) how to handle an emergency that
prevents you from taking a final exam at the scheduled time. Please keep
this information handy. Exams for spring semester begin on Saturday, May 1, and
end on Friday, May 14. Please read this
information and let me know if you have questions. Ruth Robarts, Assistant Dean
for Student & Academic Affairs (rrobarts@wisc.edu or 262-8557)
Ways to reduce stress
1. Plan for break time as well as study time.
Studies show that students retain
information better when they study for short periods and take regular breaks,
especially if they set goals for each study session.
2. Sleep as needed.
Studies also show that the brain integrates new information
while you sleep and that memory improves with regular sleep. Sleep is not
optional.
3. Use campus
recreational facilities
You have already paid for access to the Camp Randall Sports
Center (http://www.recsports.wisc.edu/shell.html) and the Southeast Recreational Facility (SERF) (http://www.recsports.wisc.edu/serf/schedule.html). Use them to work off stress.
4. Use campus health
and counseling services as needed.
University Health Services (UHS) provides outpatient primary
care (http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/).
Its Counseling & Consultation Services are available at the same location
and phone number. For an after-hours crisis, call 265-6565.
In addition, law students can call the 24/7 confidential hot
line operated by the State Bar of Wisconsin (WISLAP) for help with
mental/emotional health issues, substance abuse issues or other crises. The
phone number is 800-543-2625.
How to handle exam emergencies
Call my office before
the exam (262-8557)
If you cannot take your final on schedule because of
incapacitating illness, injury, family emergency or extreme weather problems, call
my office before the start time for the exam (262-8557). I will get
back to you as soon as I can. I may not be able to reach you before the exam
starts, but your job is done when you have left a message about a valid
emergency before the exam begins. I will reschedule for valid reasons. If you
are very sick, call me and stay home. If you start an exam and must stop before
finishing, you cannot complete the exam later. Under the rules of the law
school, professors need to write a new exam for you. Therefore, it’s far better
to delay an exam for a short period of time than to start it and not be able to
finish.
Situations requiring verification
Food poisoning.
If you think that you have food poisoning, seek medical care
and be ready to give me evidence that you did so.
Deaths
Unfortunately, I will need to verify the death at an
appropriate time.
Submitted by Ruth Robarts, Assistant Dean for Student & Academic Affairs, Assistant Dean for Students and Academic Affairs on April 16, 2010
This article appears in the categories: Must-Know Info