As finals approach, Bowling Green State University Learning Commons is offering students help to finish the semester strong.

“The Learning Commons is a one-stop shop for any academic support students need on campus. So, we have the math and stats lab for anyone in any math or statistics course. We have the writing club for all writing needs, whether it be writing assignments in a class or a writing class itself,” said Abby Meek, a math specialist in the Learning Commons.

The Learning Commons sits on the first floor of the Jerome Library and operates all week except Saturday.

“The Learning Commons is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Friday, we’re open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then Sundays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. When you walk in, if you go to the right, there’s a desk that says, Learning Commons above it,” Meek said.

Meek said students should ask for help sooner in the semester so the Learning Commons can assist them. 

“We always tell students, especially as we’re getting towards the end of the semester and getting busier, that any tutoring needs you would have or [anything you need us to] review, as much time in advance as you can give us, the better…,” she said.

Meek said that students can finish the rest of the semester strong by not giving up on themselves.

“Don’t sell themselves short. I feel like a lot of students right now, with the culture around AI [artificial intelligence] and everything… then they’re struggling on these finals or these comprehensive exams. We are here for a reason. We are here to help you learn because you can do it,” she said. 

Meek explained that students studying for finals should study at least a week before the exam. 

“My suggestion is never cramming or studying for a long time. It’s best to do 30 to 45 minutes, take a break, then come back. Allowing yourself the time to start ahead… prevents you from feeling like ‘I have to do this for five hours straight’ and then you’re wasting five hours, and probably only 5% of it [the content] is actually sticking with you,” Meek said. 

Meek said taking a break in between studying means taking a walk, not scrolling on TikTok.

“It could be if you’re in the library studying, it could be just walking outside and walking around the square, walking around the quad outside the union, and then doing a little loop and coming back. I also like to color, whatever that is, something that’s not working on the assignment or studying you’re working on,” Meek said.

For more information, go to The Learning Commons website.