Finals are coming up soon and many Fresno City College students are scrambling for best ways to ace their exams and pass their classes. The library and the tutorial center are providing additional support for students.

The tutorial center provides help to students studying for their finals, no matter the subject.

Heather Walker, a math tutoring coordinator, said students should not wait until the last minute to start preparing for finals. “Look at all the material for all of your classes everyday,” she said. “If you have a challenging subject, studies show that if you look at the same material day after day, you’re more likely to comprehend it.”

Walker encourages all FCC students to take advantage of all that the tutorial center offers, “Absolutely, we have highly qualified tutors here and the feedback that we get back from the students is very very positive,” she said.

Additionally, Ram Slam starts the week before finals. From Dec. 8 through Dec. 10, the library and the the tutorial center stays open for longer hours, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will also be open on Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Walker said that during Ram Slam, tutors are available for help in certain subjects. “We’re going to have snacks, refreshments, and coffee for students who are tired and are dragging a little bit,” she said. “That’s Ram Slam for us in the tutorial center.”

Students also have different preferences in how they prepare. Whether it’s simply by picking apart the study guide provided by instructors or by keeping their eyes glued to their textbook, each student has their own method of studying for finals.

Cynthia Castro, a 19-year-old student, uses what her teacher gives her to help prepare.

“I take a little time out of my day to review what I’m learning. Most of my professors have packet reviews, so I do that or I do note cards and study with some of the people in my class,” Castro said.

“I think you just have to really study; go back on all the notes you took in class. If they provide study guides for you, just really go over them and don’t cram,” said Newsheelong Vang, a 20-year-old nursing major. “Make sure you study ahead of time, so you know everything and not just short-term, so you actually remember it so you don’t struggle when you’re taking the test.”

Many FCC students take the same approach as both Castro and Vang.

Brian Sanchez, a 20-year-old philosophy major, said, “I just go over what they’ve already given us.”

Sanchez also uses other techniques and strategies when studying for finals, “Use the tools the teachers have provided you, go to the powerpoints, tutoring of course is useful if you need the help,” Sanchez continued, “Really poring over your notes two or three times saying them out loud or writing them down. It totally just depends on who you are as a person and your own learning style.”