Exam Prep Parties aim to get students ready for finals
A tutor hosting a prep party for the Principles of Accounting course works through a problem with a student on the whiteboard. Photo by Carson Lemon.
By Carson Lemon
Staff Reporter
LCC offers many resources and services in the TLC Building aimed at helping students succeed in their courses. One resource available to students are Exam Prep Parties.
Exam Prep Parties are hosted by tutors with the goal of reviewing course material while providing an inviting space for students to ask questions. Often, snacks are provided while students work through practice questions and group activities.
But how do these parties actually help students to learn? First of all, each party is declared a judgment-free zone, so students are encouraged to ask questions they may not feel comfortable asking their course instructor. Additionally, the parties are collaborative, so students can talk amongst themselves and work to strengthen each other’s understanding of core course concepts.
Snacks are provided to students to help reduce the stress of an already stressful time—finals week. By studying together, students can turn an arduous task into a collaborative and fun experience. Students typically leave with a review or summary sheet to reflect on to ensure learning continues outside of the party.
When planning a study party, the Learning Commons’ lead tutor of a specific discipline will coordinate times to meet with course instructors to review study materials and meeting times. As of Fall 2025, there is no system for students to put in a request for additional prep parties; however, students that cannot make it to a prep party are encouraged to schedule a meeting with a tutor in the Learning Commons.
Academic Services Specialist Zahra Mehraban assures students that they receive the most accurate study materials when attending an exam party. “We do not generate our own study materials; instead, we utilize the official practice reviews and problem sets provided by the faculty. This ensures that the material covered in the party is perfectly aligned with the upcoming exam.”
Mehraban advises students to do some self-review before attending a party and said that the most common mistake she sees students make is passivity. “Students get the most out of these parties when they are active participants, yet some arrive without having reviewed their notes, making it difficult for them to know what to ask. Others treat the session like a lecture—listening without taking notes or hesitating to ask questions.”
These parties are meant for every student, not just those struggling or falling behind in class. “Attending gives students a chance to validate what they know, clear up what they don't, and do it all in a relaxed environment with food and friends,” Mehraban said. “Even for students who feel confident, the session serves as a final 'stress test' for their knowledge, ensuring they walk into the exam fully prepared.”
Students with further questions about the Exam Prep Parties can stop by the TLC Building to ask questions or reach out through the email listed on the Tutoring Services webpage on LCC’s website. Check if your course has a party scheduled on LCC’s Events Calendar or check the list below.
Exam Prep Party Schedule:
CHEM 125, Basic Chemistry
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 — 4:10 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
CHEM 151, General Chemistry I
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 — 12:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 — 12:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 — 4:10 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 12:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 4:10 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Tuesday, December 9, 2024 — 12:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Tuesday, December 9, 2024 — 4:10 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
CHEM 152, General Chemistry II
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 — 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 — 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
CHEM 251, Organic Chemistry I
Friday, December 5, 2025 — 2:10 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 10:10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
CHEM 252, Organic Chemistry II
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 — 2:10 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Thursday, December 4, 2025 — 12:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Chem Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
MATH 126, Precalculus
Thursday, November 20, 2025 — 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 — 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
MATH 151, Calculus I
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
MATH 152, Calculus II
Thursday, December 4, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
MATH 253, Calculus III
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
PHYS 120, The Art of Physics
Monday, December 1, 2025 — 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Physics Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Physics Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
PHYS 200, Introduction to Applied Physics
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 — 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Physics Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
PHYS 221, Introductory Physics
Friday, December 12, 2025 — 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Physics Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
PHYS 251 (CRN 10770), Physics I with Calculus
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Physics Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
PHYS 251 (CRN 10457), Physics I with Calculus
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 — 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Physics Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
PHYS 252, Physics II with Calculus
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 — 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Physics Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
ACCG 210, Principles of Accounting I
Monday, December 1, 2025 — 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In-person — In-person in the Arts & Sciences Building room 1310.
Thursday, December 4, 2025 — 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 2nd floor Business and Economics Studio. Contact Learning Commons for virtual meeting
link.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 2nd floor Business and Economics Studio. Contact Learning Commons for virtual meeting
link.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 — 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In-person — In-person in the Arts & Sciences Building room 1122.
CPSC 231, Computing and Data Structures
Monday, November 24, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
Monday, December 8, 2025 — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hybrid — In-person in the TLC Building 1st floor Math Studio. Virtual meeting link here.
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