Most students know the feeling of dread that comes with putting off final papers until the last minute or staying up all night to cram for an exam. For many Ospreys, the stress of finals week has no rival. It is no surprise that the pressure can lead students to make bizarre decisions sometimes.

Dr. Brian Thornton, a professor of Communication Law and Ethics and Journalism History, gives each student different questions on exam day.

“During finals week, I had one student, she had one set of questions and another student had a different set of questions. But they were sitting next to each other so the one was cheating off the other, even though they had the wrong answers,” Thornton said. “That’s pretty goofy.”

Kelly Smith, a professor of General Biology II and Oceanography, said it is more common for students in introductory level classes to struggle at the end of the semester.

“That transition from high school to college is really difficult for a lot of students,” Smith said.

Smith said there are many resources available to UNF students who are struggling in their classes.

“I don’t know of any faculty members who enjoy failing students,” Smith said. “For most, it’s sort of a personal failure if we can’t help a student learn the material.”

She said she has had students who have had horrible semesters and she tries to help them work their way through the system. Some students are struggling because of life issues and not a lack of interest, she said.

Thornton said he has heard stories from students about their grandmothers dying and he tries to be understanding.

He said, “But then I start talking to other teachers and they say, ‘But their grandmother died last semester.’ So the grandmother died two or three semesters in a row, that’s pretty rough.”

“It’s kind of sad sometimes to see students that have had issues all semester and don’t come to see me until the last week,” said Professor Kelly Smith. She said she urges students to come to her early if they are struggling.

“I make every effort to help them, but there’s really nothing I can do for students when they come in that last week if they’ve already failed,” Smith said.

The best way to avoid problems at the end of the semester is to speak to professors early. She said most of the faculty at UNF are dedicated to teaching and have office hours to help students.

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