by Erin Raterman
Daily Lobo
ASUNM has been advocating the creation of a Prep Week immediately before finals when no new course material is introduced because students say it will give them much-needed time to catch up on their studies.
Students support a Prep Week, according to a poll taken by ASUNM during undergraduate elections on April 16. In that poll, 1,414 students voted in favor of a Prep Week and 82 voted against it.
"During regular class time, there would be discussion and integration of important class topics and faculty-led review for final exams," said Associated Students of UNM President Jennifer Onuska. "It would benefit students because we would be able to better absorb class concepts and inevitably do better on finals."
Prep Week would take place during the 15th week of each semester, during which no new tests, material or assignments would be given to students.
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ASUNM is lobbying for UNM students and faculty members to embrace the concept of a Prep Week, Onuska said.
She added that a typical complaint of UNM students is that professors assign too much material the week before finals, making them feel overwhelmed.
"Prep Week would be a good idea because students need a week of stress-free studying and a little relaxation, so they can achieve their full potential on exams," said Max Zurek, a UNM freshman.
Marian College in Indiana is just one of many colleges and universities that offers its students more than just a Prep Week.
The college provides its students with free massages, free food, gourmet coffee and designated areas on campus called stress-free zones where students can escape the pressures of finals.
Onuska proposes that UNM be more like other schools, such as Marian College, and allow students more time to study while helping them deal with the stress of finals.
"College in general is more stressful than anything I have ever dealt with before," said UNM freshman Sarah Hager.
She added that she likes the idea of a Prep Week because it would help reduce the amount of stress brought on by finals week.
Other college campuses are also offering students free yoga classes and candle-lit nap rooms.
ASUNM has also organized a committee of undergraduate students with the function of recommending a Prep Week to UNM faculty members.
Colin Olson, a doctoral student and sociology teaching assistant at UNM, said that he supports the creation of a Prep Week.
"A Prep Week would benefit students," Olson said. "It would be a useful thing if students could focus on tests."
The committee is attempting to implement a three-year test run for Prep Week, which would allow UNM to test the concept before making it permanent.
"We are going to fight to have one," Onuska said. "We would like to implement one within the year. However, it will take a lot of time, energy and manpower."
The proposal calls for regular class schedules during Prep Week, but professors would be encouraged to conduct reviews of material instead of lectures.
April 16 undergraduate student poll of students who are in support of a Prep Week:
For: 1,414
Against: 82
