A Graceful Close

As the semester comes to a close, there are several tips that can make this busy, stressful period a productive one. Help students find a comfortable, satisfying conclusion to their work; gather information that will help you in the future; and reward yourself for the successes. Improve your teaching by handling the end of the semester well. Here are some tips.

Student Closure

For students the semester usually ends with a test or final essay. Teachers should try to make these moments for growth. Here are a couple additional ideas.

Making Tests. Reviewing your test items before finalizing the exam can improve its accuracy and reduce problems on test day. For a one page tip sheet on what to look for, contact the CIRT.

Easing Essays. Several days before final essays or projects are due, arrange a special help session where students can get reactions and editorial suggestions for those last minute doubts. Sessions could be individual, group, or arranged for peer editing.

Reflect. Take 15 minutes out of one of your last classes and have students reflect on what they have gained in the semester. We can provide a list of suggested reflection activities.

These activities aim to bring closure to the semester -- rather than organize it around one more assignment. The underlying principle is to help students discover the meaningfulness of the work they have done. If you incorporate this theme in your final activities, students will get more out of your last lessons.

Gathering Information

By semester's end we all look back on parts of our courses that did not work out as we had hoped. Getting information on what happened is one of the most positive ways to resolve these concerns. Consider some of these tips.

Customize Student Evaluations. The CIRT has a set of over 500 questions that might be used to check various aspects of your course. Ask us for a copy and put together a student evaluation that asks what you want to know.

Ask Advice. Create a format where students can offer advice. Pass around a suggestion box. Have a student leader lead a 15 minute discussion (while you are out of the room). Or, call the CIRT to have one of our independent observers talk with your students. Emphasize suggestions not critiques.

Collect Samples. Collect samples of student work that represents work that meets the standard for each grade. By making necessary modifications (and adding commentary), you can show these samples to future students to help them understand what you expect.

Make Notes. While grading exams or essays, keep notes on common errors and problems. Later, you can analyze these notes to identify which errors are most important and what can be done to help students avoid them in the future.

Rewarding Effort

Recognizing and rewarding hard work provides a natural ending to the time you and your students have spent together.

Celebrate. Create some end-of-the-semester ritual for your class. Give awards out that honor excellent students and recognize those who contributed to the class (e.g., best sense of humor award). Or, use a more casual approach. Shake hands and offer a word of encouragement to students on the last day.

Share. Hold a department meeting or meet with a group of friends to share the semester's successes. Tell what worked for you so that others can borrow ideas. Figure out which of their ideas you might adapt.

This Teaching Tip was first published by Indiana State University’s, Center for Teaching and Learning on December 8, 1997.