Fernanda Gonzalez
Fernanda Gonzalez / Vaquero Radio
As students tackle exams, projects and essays for Finals Week starting Friday, three UTRGV services offer resources to help Vaqueros cope with stress and success in their studies.
The UTRGV Learning Center, Writing Center and the University Library are three resources available to help students during Finals Week.
Librarian Liliana Galindo spoke about the library’s in-person and online services. According to Galindo, one of the most popular services is study rooms.
“We also provide open study space, collaborative study space as well as quiet study space,” she said. “A computer lab which provides printing options both in color and black and white. We also provide the opportunity for our students to check out any of our physical items, our books within our collection.”
Galindo said the libraries will have extended hours starting this week. From Wednesday to Dec. 12, the libraries will be open from 8 to 2 a.m. with the only exceptions on Friday and Saturday, in which the facilities will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Liliana Galindo Graphic of the library extended hours calendar
Learning Center Program Manager Armando Garza spoke about how the center provides three types of services, tutoring, academic and peer coaching.
Garza said students can prepare in advance by visiting the Learning Center.
“Like in a perfect world, if you understand what it is you’re not getting like, ‘Oh, it’s section two and chapter two,’ and then come in and then let us know or send an email and then say, ‘Hey, this is what [I don’t understand] and I’ll be coming tomorrow,’so that my tutor could prepare to work with you so that they’re not just blindsided,” Garza said.
He said students can bring their notes to study and understand the topic better.
Director of the Writing Center Marlene Galvan spoke about the services the center provides in-person, via Zoom and the most-requested service, online asynchronous.
“We also offer sessions online asynchronously called ‘Send Your Assignments,’” Galvan said. “That’s when students can actually submit their essay through our website and within 24 to 48 hours, they’ll get feedback back to their email address.”
She said the hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The online asynchronous services may also provide feedback on weekends.
Galindo said she encourages students to adopt study habits, do lists and make sure to have all their material available with them.
“We noticed in our students trying to be caffeinated with coffee or any other type of energy and energized,” she said. “But we do want to remind our students it’s important to consume a healthy meal, to keep hydrated to as much as that is difficult during these times where they’re probably not sleeping, but it’s good to rest.”
The last day of finals is Dec. 14. Grades are due at 3 p.m. Dec. 18.
This is Fernanda Gonzalez for Vaquero Radio
