5 Study Tips for Finals

Finals week can be one of the most stressful for a college student. Now toss in the year we’ve had, and typical study habits can go out the window. Cramming the night before might have worked in the past, but it won’t always. Thankfully, with the University of Mobile’s 4-day academic week, you’ll have plenty of time to ace your finals, so follow these few steps to prepare and leave for the summer on a positive note.

  1. Create your own study guide.

Organizing your information into one place can help you stay on track for the important material that is needed for your final. Rewriting your notes and consolidating your thoughts can help you retain details that might have slipped through the cracks. Now that you have a study guide, you also have a great tool to look back over your information and make sure you are prepared.

  1. Ask questions.

“Know and Be Known” at the University of Mobile means being known by your professors. If you haven’t met with your professors yet, it’s never too late to start. Connecting with your teachers outside the classroom allows you to ask questions regarding the material and the exam. You never know, these professors might just become mentors when it’s all over.

  1. Organize a study group.

Studying in a group can be a great way to retain information – sometimes. Look at your learning habits to see if group work is a successful way for you to study. Also, make sure your group is focused on the task of studying and not jumping off topic… too much.

  1. Quiz yourself.

Self-quizzing is one of the best ways to prepare for a final. Instead of mindlessly rereading notes, self-quizzing forces you to interact with your notes and textbooks on a deeper level. You are basically using your notes and text to create your own test. The key is to make sure you are asking a wide range of questions, and not just definitions you need to memorize. Think like a professor and create essay, short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and even multiple-choice questions. Then, take the quiz you made. This process will help you see which areas you are weaker in and which areas you are strong.

  1. Take breaks.

Stepping away and giving your brain a break boosts your energy and happiness. Doing something fun like cooking, hanging out with friends, listening to music, exercising and more allow you to come back to your tasks with a great attitude and new outlook.

University of Mobile Presents Academic Achievement Awards, President’s Scholastic Awards to Class of 2021

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile presented academic awards to outstanding graduating seniors of the class of 2021 during an awards convocation on April 28.

Among the awards given were academic achievement awards for the outstanding graduate in each college and school who were recognized for academic accomplishment, service, scholarship and Christian character. The Present’s Scholastic Award was presented to graduates earning a 4.0 grade point average.

The university’s two top student awards, the William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award and the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award, will be announced during graduation ceremonies on May 8. Approximately 270 students will receive degrees at commencement, which will be held on campus.

The graduation ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn.

Receiving Academic Achievement Awards were:

Briana La’Shea Webb of Pensacola, Florida – Alabama School of the Arts, undergraduate program

Kristina Brooke Swearingen of Mobile, Alabama – Alabama School of the Arts, graduate program

Antonia Sophie Bauer of Domagen, Nordrhein-Wesfalen, Germany – College of Arts and Sciences, undergraduate program

Shelby Alanna Bristow of Dothan, Alabama – College of Arts and Sciences, graduate program

Robyn Hunter Reed of McIntosh, Alabama – School of Business, undergraduate program

Rachel Angèle Esquibel of Quispamis, New Brunswick, Canada – School of Business, graduate program

Donald William Brady of Mobile, Alabama – School of Christian Studies, undergraduate program

Joseph Robert McDonald of Mobile, Alabama – School of Christian Studies, graduate program

Caitlyn Renee Boley of Dothan, Alabama – School of Education, graduate program

Valerie Lynn Elzora Ainsworth of Irvington, Alabama – School of Health and Sports Science, undergraduate program

Hannah Ashley Guthrie of Silverhill, Alabama – School of Nursing, undergraduate program

Danielle Antoinette Hughes of Houston, Texas – School of Nursing, doctorate program

Receiving President’s Scholastic Awards were:

Anna Leigh Griffin of Panama City Beach, Florida – Alabama School of the Arts

Chloé Lynn-Marie Wentland of Mobile, Alabama – College of Arts and Sciences

Valerie Lynn Elzora Ainsworth of Irvington, Alabama – School of Health and Sports Science

Taylor Grace Barkely of Moulton, Alabama – School of Health and Sports Science

Robyn Hunter Reed of McIntosh, Alabama – School of Business

Donald William Brady of Mobile, Alabama – School of Christian Studies

For more information, visit umobile.edu or call 251.442.2222.


About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

#UM#

Where will your degree take you? – Jared Baker

Jared Baker received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and started working in construction. He comes from a tight-knit family of caregivers – his father was a firefighter and his sister is a nurse – and Jared saw the difference they made in the community. Because of that, he also wanted to make a difference in peoples’ lives, which led him to the University of Mobile’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

“The class size and size of the school brings about a sense of family, which I feel like is crucial for a successful learning experience. The facilities at UM are great. The instructors do an amazing job of making our simulations as realistic as possible, and with the tools at UM, I’m a lot more comfortable during clinical days,” said Jared.

The University of Mobile School of Nursing provides students with the knowledge, skills and critical thinking abilities to know how to handle the life-and-death situations that nurses face every day. Professors can test students on their abilities to handle circumstances through state-of-the-art simulation tools.

“I just hope to help other people. I want to make an impact in the community that I live in and make a difference in people’s lives,” Jared said.

Where will your degree take you – Tamara Gurley

Recently, we’ve been shown that the world can change at the drop of a hat. Whether it’s learning how to teach students remotely or effectively using technology in the business world, the University of Mobile aims to prepare their students for anything. That’s why the Instructional Design and Technology master’s program was introduced, and that’s what led Tamara Gurley, a third-grade teacher at J.E. Turner Elementary school in Wilmer, Alabama, and first-year master’s student, to the program.

“I always wanted to get my master’s, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to get it in. When schools shut down in March, everything went technology based, and Jennifer Fetner, the assistant principal at J.E. Turner and Semmes Elementary School, told me about this program. She’s a professor for Instructional Design and Technology at UM, so we were able to talk about what all it entailed. Since it was all online, I was sold,” said Tamara.

Since Tamara was a child, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. During her sophomore year of undergrad at the University of Mobile, she knew God was truly calling her to teach children. She’s able to pull information that she’s learning from her master’s degree program into her classroom setting.

“I love the idea of being able to mentor coworkers with the background of Instructional Design and Technology while still getting to interact with the kids. Everything I’m learning in my classes at UM can easily be applied into my third-grade class. For example, I was able to find an event with some of my students’ favorite author, and we were able to virtually meet an author that they love. They’ve been writing books nonstop, and it’s all because of what I’ve learned at UM. It’s still applicable to my school now, but it can help me grow in the future.”

University of Mobile Presents the Chamber Opera ‘Cosi fan Tutte’ April 9 and 11

MOBILE, Ala. – The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile will present the chamber opera “Cosi fan Tutte” on April 9 at 7 p.m. and April 11 at 2 p.m. at Murphy High School, 100 S Carlen St, Mobile, AL 36606.

Tickets are $25 for general admission and $10 with a valid student ID. In-person attendance will be capped at 200 persons. For tickets and streaming options, please visit umobile.edu/pas or call the Alabama School of the Arts Box Office at 251.442.2383.

Cosi fan Tutte centers on a bet made among three men. Don Alfonso, the older and more cynical of the three men, bets Ferando and Guglielmo he can prove that their girlfriends, Fiodiligi and Dorabella, are unfaithful. After many comical struggles, the two couples are forced into situations where they are forced to decide to stay faithful.

For information on COVID-19 guidelines, please visit umobile.edu/coronavirus.

For more information on Cosi fan Tutte or other Alabama School of the Arts 2020-2021 Performing Arts events, please visit umobile.edu/pas.


About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

Where will your degree take you? – Kassie Salors

“Last semester I was at Saraland Early Education Center helping with first grade. I was really nervous walking into the classroom, hoping that the cooperating teacher would react well with me being there. All of a sudden, everything just clicked for me. I saw the gifts God has given me of working with children, and I knew that I had chosen the right degree,” said Kassie Salors, a senior at the University of Mobile majoring in elementary education.

Kassie knew she wanted to be a teacher for most of her life. She had a calling to not only teach children, but also to care for them on a more personal level. When looking for colleges to attend, she visited the University of Mobile and saw that education professors not only taught their students how to teach and care for children, but they lived it out as well.

“Professors in the School of Education definitely care about their students. Dr. Ashley Milner and Dr. Karen Dennis really poured into me. Naturally I’m a shy person, but they didn’t let that get in the way of the profession that I want to go into. They helped me step out of my comfort zone, making sure that I was okay along the way. They’ve really shown me the kind of teacher that I hope to be,” said Kassie.

University of Mobile Presents ‘Evening of American Music’ Piano Duet Concert on April 6

MOBILE, Ala. – The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile will present “Evening of American Music” piano duet concert with performances by Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva and Greg Wiggins on April 6 at 7 p.m.

The concert will take place in Moorer Auditorium on the University of Mobile campus, 5735 College Pkwy, Mobile, Alabama 36613. Seating is capped at 31 seats due to COVID-19 guidelines, and admission is free. For tickets and streaming options, please visit https://www.itickets.com/events/452522.html or call the Alabama School of the Arts Box Office at 251.442.2383.

In accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, State of Alabama, and Mobile mandates, face masks or face shields will be required. For more information on COVID-19 guidelines, please visit umobile.edu/coronavirus.

Selections from Gershwin, Bernstein and Coleman will be presented by Steinway Artist, Professor of Music and UM Director of Piano Studies Onalbayeva, and UM Piano Instructor and Elite 88 ensemble director Wiggins.

Onalbayeva is the founder and president of the Gulf Coast Steinway Society. She has performed across the globe as a recitalist, chamber musician, composer and orchestral soloist, winning the “Glad Robinson Youse Adult Composer Award” in 2019.

Wiggins has performed in over 85 countries as a pianist, composer, arranger, orchestrator, clinician and vocal coach. He was keyboardist and arranger for the Gospel Hall of Fame group TRUTH, arranging and producing over 20 recordings and three musicals.

For more information on the “Evening of American Music” piano duet concert or other Alabama School of the Arts Performances, please visit umobile.edu/asota.


About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

University of Mobile Presents ‘Spring Spectacular’ with Fireworks April 23 & 24

MOBILE, Ala. – The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile will present ‘Spring Spectacular – A Night of Celebration,’ a family-friendly outdoor concert extravaganza followed by fireworks on April 23 and 24.

The concert begins each night at 7:30 p.m. with a preshow at 7 p.m. on the Great Commission Lawn at the University of Mobile campus, 5735 College Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36613.

Tickets are $10, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. The concert also will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. For tickets and streaming options, please visit umobile.edu/pas or call the Alabama School of the Arts Box Office at 251.442.2383.

For information on COVID-19 guidelines, please visit umobile.edu/coronavirus.

“After COVID-19 forced us to cancel Christmas Spectacular in 2020, the plan to make Spring Spectacular 2021 bigger and greater began,” said Jenna Goodwin, executive director of administration and production for the Alabama School of the Arts.

“We hope to provide the University of Mobile family and the Mobile community with an amazing night, ending this hour-long musical concert with a spectacular fireworks show,” Goodwin said.Spring Spectacular will include performances from Alabama School of the Arts ensembles and choir presenting popular musical selections from pop, gospel, classical and jazz genres. Voices of Mobile, University Singers, Ignite, Deliverance 5, Exit 13, Sofree, Jazz Band, Ram:Corps and more ensembles will perform alongside local middle school and high school students throughout the concert.

There are still openings for high school and middle school students to perform in Spring Spectacular. For information about performance opportunities for high school and middle school students, call 251.442.2320.

Spring Spectacular began as Spring Finale in 2008 with students performing for a small audience of their peers. The series has grown and, over the last three years, students have performed this final concert of the year for sold-out audiences.


About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

University of Mobile Hosts Overflow Conference for Youth Ministry Leaders

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile will host the Overflow Conference for youth pastors and their students April 30 through May 1, 2021.

The Overflow Conference is designed for youth leadership teams including worship teams and those who exemplify leadership qualities within their ministry. Youth pastors are encouraged to bring their teams to learn, grow and be refreshed together.

This two-day conference event focuses on developing the next generation of leaders through musical performances, speakers and breakout sessions. The conference will be hosted in person at the University of Mobile, and digital options are available for those unable to attend on site. Tickets range from $25 to $50 per person and can be purchased at umobile.edu/overflow.

The heart of Overflow is to equip and build up the next generation of worshippers, fostering a space for young leaders to cultivate a deeper connection with Jesus, and develop the gifts He has given them. Shane Pruitt will be the guest speaker, and Phil J will host a concert, along with performances from the University of Mobile’s Alabama School of the Arts ensembles Exit 13, Ignite Worship and Chapel Band.

Guest speaker Pruitt serves as the national Next Gen evangelism director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). He has been in ministry for over 18 years as a denominational worker, church planter, lead pastor and student pastor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies, a master’s degree in history and a Ph.D. in clinical Christian counseling. Pruitt is a traveling communicator, evangelist and Bible teacher who speaks to tens of thousands about Jesus.

For information on COVID-19 guidelines during the conference, please visit umobile.edu/coronavirus.

For more information on the Overflow Conference, please visit umobile.edu/overflow or call the Alabama School of the Arts at 251.442.2896.


About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

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