Exams, packing, planning: the hectic last days of spring semester

As students roll out of N.C. Central University’s sloping hills and verdant green, they leverage wrapping up final exams and moving out.

University College Learning Specialist Jenna Watts described the end of the semester as “doing your best,” hoping good grades reward good work.

“[Finals week has] been good so far from what I’ve heard from students,” Watts said. “The students I’ve worked with have done a good job at making arrangements and doing the prep work.”

For many students, prep work was key in completing the spring semester and finalizing their summer plans.

“Finals week has been very stressful,” Kennedy Hill, a biomedical sciences junior said. “I’m happily done with all my exams, but there are still some last-minute assignments and projects that I have to finish. So I’ve been grinding that out.”

Hill said she spent the past week pulling all-nighters and studying all day.

Shaka Cristellotti, a business administration senior, said he had to take four final exams in one day so he could be done before the 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tennis Championships.

Cristelloti plays on NCCU’s men’s tennis team, which took second place in Saturday’s event at the Cary Tennis Park.

“It was really hard. But at the same time, I have to say that I’m excited,” Cristellotti said. “After I finished my exams, the grades finally show that I have graduated.”

One common theme among all students was packing.

“Truthfully, I probably have enough stuff in here to pack for a lifetime, so that’s just been hanging in the back of my mind,” Hill said with a laugh.  “I have to figure out how to fit everything, so definitely a stressful time but exciting because we get graduation, end-of-the-year parties, and good food.”

While seniors have shifted their focus to graduation and its festivities, other people left the nest to embark on their summer, with some thinking even further ahead.

“I’m excited to meet the new students and get a fresh start in the fall,” Watts said.  “It’s been a long semester for sure.  I’m excited to see everyone again.”