Many students attended the fourth annual Study on Dec. 14 (SOS) event on Sunday to prepare for their upcoming finals.

Math and Statistics Coordinator Jeremy Joseph said the event has been a successful way to get students to find extra help and finish out the semester strong over the years.

“SOS is the culmination of a semester’s worth of studying,” Joseph said. “It’s the perfect opportunity for students to get that last bit of help.”

The event was coordinated by Jerome Library and the Learning Commons and lasted from noon until 10 p.m., which also extended studying and tutoring hours. On top of those extended hours, students also had the luxury to enjoy a variety of activities while they studied. Some of these activities consisted of Human Jenga, petting therapy dogs and getting massages. The Learning Commons also partnered with the Counseling Center and offered informal programs on conquering test anxiety.

Tutorial Coordinator Donna Dick said the extra activities seem to enhance SOS for the students and serve as an effective relief for them.

“Students want to come here to study, but not extensively, so we want to give them breaks,” Dick said. “A lot of students enjoy taking a break to pet the dog.”

Furthermore, students could also have access to tutoring on more different subjects at SOS. Some of these subjects consisted of accounting, history, physics, biology, and chemistry. These extra hours and large amounts of students that attend have been known to keep all of the tutors busy. In fact, there were usually at least 10-11 tutors working in the Math and Statistics Drop-In Center of the Learning Commons at any given time. However, having tutors also helps the students relate with them on the material on a different level than with actual professors.

Third year Ben Zauski is one tutor who worked the SOS event to help students succeed. Zauski tutors students in math, statistics, economics and actuary science.

“I’m on my feet tutoring constantly,” Zauski said. “Sometimes it’s easier for students to work with other students who have already been through the classes.”

Also, Joseph said the teamwork between the tutors and their dedication to helping students were vital components to the success of the event.

“They’re doing this job for a reason because they like helping students,” Joseph said. “It’s a nice opportunity for them to give back.”

In addition, Dick said the students are always willing to make significant amounts of time each year for SOS even though they have finals of their own that they also have to devote time to.

“They’ve even agreed to work extra hours during exam week,” Dick said. “They’ve really stepped up to the plate,” he said.

Moreover, Zauski said that helping students is a rewarding aspect that goes along with working the SOS event and being a tutor in general.

“It’s a lot of fun to have students come back and say, ‘hey you helped me so much,’” Zauski said.

Junior Donesha Jones is one student who has benefited from attending the SOS and from visiting the Learning Commons often. Jones said she tries to go the Learning Commons everyday to seek help in Spanish and psychology.

“I came to SOS last year and I really enjoyed it,” Jones said. “The light snacks kept me awake and I liked that they had activities to do.”

Even though the event has passed, students still have the opportunity to come in for drop-in tutoring sessions for math and statistics as well as chemistry.

Joseph also said he encourages students not to cram during finals week.

“Glance over your notes but don’t wait to study until the morning of the exam,” Joseph said. “It tends to only confuse you.”

If you missed SOS, there is still a chance to use the Learning Commons as a space to study and get help in math, statistics and chemistry. SOS still continues to serve as an event to help students succeed and get extra help while enjoying multiple necessities to relax them during such a stressful endpoint of the semester.

“It’s a great event that gives students extra help on all subjects,” Zauski said. “It’s what the University needs.”