“Clep Exam” (page 1)

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Full practice exams are available, and the beauty of these is that you can work on them time and time again.

This is important because the real exam is timed, and you will want to review many testing strategies for the timed test as well in advance as possible.

If you are familiar with the subject matter of the test, a quick review may be all you need in order to prepare. There are many online sources such as reviews and flash cards that help you refresh on any subject.

It’s finally your test day! You should get a good night’s sleep and eat a balanced breakfast with protein in on the morning of your test. CLEP testing is stressful enough without a sugary haze clouding your memory. Avoiding excess caffeine is a must! You need to focus on the test.

You may however want to utilize a stopwatch feature on your watch, so as the CLEP exam begins, you can start your watch and keep track of time. With practice you will be able to complete all of the questions in the time allowed, and do great on your exam.

For more information, visit the testing and tutoring center.  Their hours in the fall and spring are Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m-7:00 p.m and Friday from 8:30 a.m-4:00 p.m.

Students e-flock to hybrid courses

 

 

By ASHLEY LONG

Staff Writer

 

Students have the option of taking a traditional classroom course or taking a hybrid. A hybrid course is where there is a carefully planned blend of both traditional classroom instruction and online learning activities. Students are able to make meaningful connections with their instructors and other students, without being required to travel to campus on a regular basis, as the majority of the coursework can be completed on the Internet.

Rather than having students sit in a lecture hall taking notes, instructors can teach through more “active-learning” assignments such as case studies, self-tests, tutorials, and online group projects, all of which are available over the Internet.

The most important educational benefits are how hybrid courses help improve writing and computer skills. Hybrid classes also encourage self-directed learning, time management, problem solving, and critical thinking skills in those who participate in the programs as well.

In addition to the obvious academic advantages, hybrid courses are also making it easier for more people to get a quality education. That’s because hybrid courses require limited on-campus attendance, which means they are more accessible to students. “Taking an online course is great, because the flexible class schedule allows me to work more hours at my job,” said Katrina Sansalone.

How does a hybrid course work for the faculty members who teach them? “It works well, but it is a lot of work,” said Professor Julie Stratton. “If I miss something in the lecture, I can easily Email the information to all students or post it to a discussion area. The additional online delivery method sometimes allows for more in-depth exploration through the hybrid portion, as well as having more current information to supplement the text.” 

The structure of a hybrid course allows for flexibility. What kind of student should look into taking a hybrid class? “This depends on the student. Something, hopefully, advisors help in guiding students through when they select classes. If a student works well independently, needs extra time to review material, has no problems with computers (whether it be using them or accessing them) and is looking to be more flexible in his or her schedule, then hybrid does fit that description. Although, I would not completely write off a hybrid course based on that list,” said Stratton.

Stop stress before it eats you

 

By JULIE FULLAM

Staff Writer

 

Stress. It’s a part of everyday life. From when you wake up in the morning to when you go to bed, it consumes a lot of our daily activities. School is stressful. Work is stressful. Family, friends, and neighbors are all stressful. There are negative consequences to dealing with stress both physically and mentally. Physical side effects include weight gain, joint pain, headaches, and a low immune system. Mental side effects such as depression and anxiety not only hurt you, but the others around you. 

Exercise is an important asset when it comes to stress because it helps relieve “negative energy” and helps you become more relaxed. Exercises such as yoga, cardio, weightlifting, and swimming are all good examples to relieve stress and to “keep it fun.” 

“Recognize the signs of stress and try to find a technique that works for you. Controlling stress is a skill you will use throughout your life. As you become better at controlling stress, you will live a happier, longer, and more fulfilling life,” said Shane Familie, the athletic trainer at Cumberland County College. 

“Not only do you need to exercise and control your stress, you need to eat healthier too, including foods that are high in vitamins and antioxidants. Try to avoid high caffeine drinks as they will heighten anxiety.” 

A lot of people deal with stress differently. Students are no exception. Students want to succeed  in  college, but unfortunately, sometimes the classes are too much to take all at once. Staying up late studying and procrastination will not get you that ‘A’ on your final. Some students drink Red Bull or Monster in order to stay up and finish their studying. One Red Bull drink has 27 grams of sugar,  which is almost equivalent to 2 tablespoons of sugar! It also induces that extreme “high” state from the caffeine, and results in a massive crash afterwards. 

April Walsh is a sophomore at Cumberland County who enjoys drinking Red Bull. “I love it. I can’t imagine my life without it. I love being able to finish things I am working on, such as going to the gym, and feeling like I can run a mile. Red Bull and other energy drinks are a part of my everyday life! I think they taste great!” Laura Rundell, a freshman at Cumberland County College said, “Energy Drinks? No, I stay away from them. They are not good for you! If you need an energy boost eat things that boost your metabolism. Go to the gym. Do jumping jacks. Something that doesn’t work by putting taurine into your body and making you crash in the end.” 

So with all the pressure and stress in life to deal with, how do we know how to catch stress before it affects us? 

1.) Get a good night’s sleep. The absence of a full 7-8 hours of sleep can leave you drained and could make you sick. 

2.) Eat healthier. Eating more foods enriched with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is a good way to relieve stress and make your body feel good. 

3.) Exercise. Exercise should be a part of everyday life. 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended in order to stay healthy.

4.) Don’t procrastinate. Waiting until the night before to do a paper will not help. Pace yourself a week or so before to spread out your paper. 

5.) Mediate or do yoga. 

There are many other ways to relieve stress as well. Kathleen Johansen, a sophomore, said, “I like to write to relieve my stress. I like to sit and relax, listen to soft music playing in the background, and just write how I feel. It’s always a relief to feel that inner peace.” 

Linda Lleres, the Spanish professor at Cumberland County, has another method, “I enjoy cooking to relieve my stress. It makes me feel happy to know that I get to cook all this food and someone will enjoy it! I always try to have a positive attitude and stay calm!” 

No matter how old or young you are stress can be a big problem in your life. Take the time to breathe, relax, and most importantly, have fun! Stress can be sneaky, but if you fight it off before it can get to you, your life will be happy, healthier and more fulfilling than ever before.