What to know about TMU finals
Final exam period in university can initially seem daunting and scary, but with the right preparation and understanding, you can go through it with confidence! As you enter your university life, it's important to understand what to expect and how to prepare for something like finals week.
Transitioning from high school exams to university exams brings its own set of differences, but with proper guidance, you can adapt smoothly. I'm here to give you a sneak peek of what exams are like at TMU. From understanding exam schedules to knowing what to bring and where to go, let's walk through the essentials, ensuring you feel confident and empowered during your studies.
Finals week at TMU is definitely intense. Students spend the few weeks beforehand preparing, creating study schedules, and using the university’s resources like TMU Libraries and study groups. It's a challenging but rewarding time as we all push ourselves to thrive academically.
Exams are not the same for everyone! Some people do not even have to take a final because some programs across TMU require final assignments and final projects instead of an exam. Exams are usually three hours long and are held in different places in the university, ranging from large halls such as the Mattamy Athletic Centre to regular classrooms in Kerr Hall. Some exams are even virtual so you get to do them from the comfort of your home!
First things first – what do students bring on exam day? I like making a list of what I need to have prepared for an exam. When it comes to what I need to pack, I make sure to bring:
- My TMU OneCard for identification purposes
- A clear water bottle
- My own stationery
TMU students receive emails with their exam schedules outlining when and where they’ll be taking place. We can also access our exam schedules on MyServiceHub. I make sure to check my exam schedule and locations to add them to my calendar and stay on top of everything.
Academic Accommodation
The Academic Accommodation Support Office is students’ go-to place for arranging accommodation for an exam. The office supports students with temporary and/or permanent disabilities. TMU also accommodates students with religious, Aboriginal and/or spiritual observance and missed examinations with the help of Academic Consideration Request. In case of a make-up exam, students can request make-up tests using the Make-Up Test Centre.
Exam season may be daunting, but thanks to academic support at TMU and accommodation services, students can be set up to succeed during finals and grow their confidence every exam season.
Along with all the advice I shared, it’s important to remember that aside from working hard, it’s important to be healthy, hydrate and nourish yourself. Trust me, the best exams I have taken in my four years here were the ones where along with my studying, I was getting a good amount of sleep and eating a nutritious meal beforehand. It’s important to take good care of yourself before crushing it during exams!
