UTPA students give thoughts on finals

Carla Cisneros, an 18-year-old freshman biology major, knows that she will have to focus on her studies in order to pass her finals. With the knowledge in her head, the Mission native is ready to tackle and pass the tests.

“I got it in the bag,” Cisneros said confidently, books in hand. “I know my material.”

Finals week begins Dec. 10 – 14 for students on campus. Though some finals may have started earlier, students are preparing to take the tests that signify the end of a semester and for some, the end of their college career.

Knowing what’s at stake should she fail her exams, Cisneros has been using her free time to study. She looks forward to her exams.

“It’s kind of the feeling that you want to get over it,” Cisneros said. “My main worry is maybe not passing a class.”

On Dec. 6 and 7, also known as “Dead Days”, UTPA was closed to allow students to prepare and study for their exams. Jennifer Vallejo, a 20-year-old senior majoring in biology and psychology, claimed she put in every second of her time into studying for her tests, going as far as to take two days off of work.

Though Vallejo sees the benefit of the “Dead Days”, saying that they give her more time to study, she faces one of the issues that comes with taking finals: stress.

“I’m very stressed,” the Weslaco native said. “More than I have ever been before and it’s because of the timing (of the exams).”

With four tests in two consecutive days a week before finals, Vallejo wishes that her professors would give the exams on the planned dates rather than on their own time. She said this is her one irritation.

“It’s what’s pissing me off,” Vallejo said. “I really wish (the exams) were on finals week. It would make taking the exams a lot easier.”

Though the 20 year old is putting up with the issue by pulling off some all nighters, she still maintains excitement as she readies herself to finish the semester.

“I want the grades I want,” Vallejo said, looking at a journal of notes. “And, when I’m done with the finals, I’m looking forward to getting some sleep.”

Vallejo, who has been dealing with the stress for the past few years, can understand what some freshmen might be going through. She understands what this means for some of them and doesn’t mind sharing some advice.

“Try as hard as you can,” Vallejo offered. “Try really hard to get the best grade possible and put in all that you have. Stress as much as you can.”