A historical exam jam
Work before play. For many university students, the old adage is never so true as it is in December, when two weeks of exams precede a much-anticipated holiday break.
On Dec. 5, the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Department of Historical Studies unveiled a new tool to combat the stress of the exam period – its first-ever Exam Jam.
Hundreds of students participated in the Exam Jam, a full-day event that offered a broad array of preparation strategies to help students cope with the upcoming exam period. Stations offered course material reviews, study techniques, health and wellness advice, physical activity, and creativity sessions.
“The Exam Jam idea came out of our ongoing efforts to provide an outstanding environment for students to learn and grow,” said Professor Shafique Virani, chair of the Department of Historical Studies and an expert in Islamic studies. “When Ken Derry, who is Chair of the Teaching Excellence Committee, started to spread the word about the event, the response from faculty and students was fantastic.”
Over 15 classes, including large introductory sections in history, women and gender studies, classical civilization and religion, took part in the event. Students chose to come for the entire day or drop in on selected sessions. Students also played an active role in organizing the Exam Jam.
Stations were located in rooms in Davis Building, each with its own focus. Virani describes each room as having its own unique atmosphere. There were intense review sessions where students discussed course content with their instructors and teaching assistants, and intriguing sessions where students learned techniques of visual note taking to promote deeper understanding of information.
Other stations, such as the learning circle led by UTM’s First Nations Elder Cat (Mark) Criger, were more contemplative. Here, students examined broader and more philosophical perspectives of how knowledge can be applied to serve humanity and how to keep centered.
Learning sessions were complemented by activities that promoted mental and physical wellbeing, including yoga, pilates and cricket. Food and healthy snacks were served to keep energy high. Derry arranged for playdough and sketchpads to be scattered around the area to stimulate creativity, something Virani says mirrored his experience doing brainstorming sessions with the Cirque du Soleil.
The department hopes to have the Exam Jam as a regular event, says Virani, and to develop it based on the evaluations submitted by participants. “Students really benefit from a holistic learning event like this. They can meet with their instructors and other students to take advantage of peer learning in a fun, informal environment. We wanted to remind students that exams are important, but so are many other aspects of the learning experience.”
UTM Athletics & Recreation, the Health & Counselling Centre, the Indigenous Centre, the International Centre, the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre and utmONE all provided support to the event, a collaboration Virani says helped make Exam Jam such a success.