Area college students gear up for finals week at Exam Slam
They provide free space, wifi, and food for area college students.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s that time of year again, the part of the semester most college students dread: finals week.
WCBI found out how one church has become an environment for scholarly work and studying.
First United Methodist Church in Starkville said it takes a village to raise a child and support a college student during a stressful time of the semester.
Associate Pastor Charlie Harper said some students were taking advantage of the study space.
“Some of the students that are already here were here before we even opened this morning and that particular group of students will be here when we close at night,” Harper said.
The church has hosted its annual Exam Slam for finals week, over the last few years. They provide free space, wifi, and food for area college students.
Two students from Mississippi State University were hitting the books early.
Ruthan Villanueva and Eddie Nestell have been to the study session for several semesters.
“I have two more finals. Two of my classes already had two of their finals this past week so I am already done with two of my classes but I am studying with quality control and then system engineering analysis,” Villanueva said.
“I am studying for aero craft structures and right now I’m just learning about the stress tensor for a beam,” Nestell said.
Church member, Elizabeth Williams said this is one of the biggest events their church puts on and it takes an A-plus effort from volunteers to make it a success.
“It’s very much a village type of effort. We have people that are preparing food, bringing food throughout the day, and then we have people who serve as hospitality hosts because we really want students to come in and feel really welcome,” Williams said.
The church hosts the event at the Connection Building in Starkville.
The exam slam will be open to any area college students Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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