Residence halls around campus are doing what they can to help students prepare for final exams.

At Oak-Elm Hall, study groups have been formed to help students study with others involved in the same classes.

“We’re working in conjunction with the Supplemental Instruction program to bring help for big courses into the residence halls,” said Kim Araya, Oak-Elm hall director. “We set up study groups for the eight classes that have the largest number of our women enrolled, and two groups meet every night during Dead Week. There are no tutors — it’s just our women getting together to study.”

Araya said the program will help students reach their academic goals.

“Grades are very important for getting out there and getting a job,” she said. “We’re encouraging our women to do the best they can, whether that means getting a 2.0 or a 4.0 [GPA].”

The Towers Residence Hall Association appointed four resident academic coordinators, one for each hall, who are responsible for organizing academic opportunities throughout the year.

“Throughout the year, I’ve set up bulletin boards throughout the hall, and I’ve put up signs with numbers they can call for resources and tutors,” said Kristin Wenzel, Storms Hall RAC. “I put together an A-Z list of everyone’s classes so students can find other students in their classes and get together to study.”

As finals approach, Wenzel, freshman in biology, said RACs have developed more ways for students to study.

“We arranged a quiet zone in the dining hall. From Monday through Thursday night during Dead Week and Monday through Wednesday of Finals Week, students can study from 7:30 to 10:30,” she said. “We provide food on Wednesday nights, so we’re hoping to motivate more people to come down and study.”

Students have noticed a variety of approaches to Finals Week.

“In our dorm, we have 23-and-a-half-hour quiet hours,” said Michael Crownhart, freshman in pre-computer science. “We have Dead Week treats during the loud half-hour.”

Food is the most common way residence hall staff keep students in a positive mindset during Dead Week.

“People love food. We get snacks, and they raise morale,” said Shana Foss, freshman in chemistry.

Another technique used to persuade students to study is the ongoing “study bucks” program.

“If you have your door open and [the RAs] see you studying, you get a study buck. On Sunday, they’re going to raffle off gifts. More study bucks means more gifts,” explained Annalies Marshall, sophomore in psychology.

Despite the many efforts of the residence hall staff, some students fail to see the differences between Dead Week and a typical school week.

“For me, the only thing that’s different is that there’s only loud music during one hour of the day,” said Greg Knoke, freshman in physics. “I guess the biggest difference is just that it’s quiet.”