Teachers feel the crunch during finals week

Students at Southeast Missouri State University aren't the only people who experience stress during finals week.

"There's no question that the short time between the close of exams and due dates for grades creates stress," economics professor Dr. Peter Kerr said. "Assigning grades is the only onerous part of teaching for me."

Teacher don't only have to prepare final exams, administer the tests and calculate final grades by the following week, they also have to calm students who are worried their final exam will significantly affect their grades as a whole.

"Overall, I don't get too stressed about the grading part," marketing professor Peter Gordon said. "Because finals are worth such a small proportion of the student's grades, many students are pretty much locked into their final grade. By the end of the semester I have seen many examples of the student's work and feel comfortable that the grade they receive is truly the grade they deserved."

Mass media professor Dr. Fred Jones offers some advice for panicked students.

"Try to focus on completing one task at a time, rather than thinking about everything you have to get done," Jones said. "Also, realize that in two weeks this will all be over."

Theatre and dance professor Dr. Marc Strauss had a student with a severe illness a few years ago. A cancer survivor himself, he believed the artistic final project for his class would be good for her and encouraged her to complete it.

"I believe she could feel how much my heart was with her in support and how important I thought it was that she still try to find healthy feedback activities for her heart and mind, in spite of her struggles," Strauss said.

The student died two weeks after turning in her project. A friend of hers emailed Strauss to tell him how much the class meant to her friend.

Strauss believes college is a time for not only academics but also growth.

"Use the time you have to get it together so you can grow and live fully," Strauss said. "Your professors do care about you, but it's up to you to use and nourish what's inside of you for the time you have here on earth."