There is no sugarcoating it: studying for final exams is extremely painful. These tests are standing in the way between you and your winter break, but that doesn’t mean that it’s time to slack off. Here are some testing tips to help you study for your finals!
“I think studying for finals is very important because finals can make or break your grade,” junior Robert O’Neal says. “When I study, I am always alone in my room using Quizlet.”
The first step is to prioritize—it’s important to think about which finals matter the most. For example, you want to study more for an English final than for a P.E. final.
Sophomore Parker Fisher says that he does not need to study much for his health class, because it is one of the easier classes. However, for a class like honors physics, he studies a lot.
Clarifying the content and format of your test is the next part in acing your finals. You need to find out what the format of the test is (i.e., multiple choice, fill in the blank, short answer, etc.). Make sure that you ask your teachers questions on the content that you did not understand while studying.
“I make sure to know what the tests are going to be like so I know what to prepare for,” sophomore Archer Sheldon says.
Studying and retaining information takes a very long time, especially if you have to study for seven classes. The trick to make sure you know all of the content is to start studying as far as possible in advance. You need to set aside time to organize your notes, think about what you need to study and assess what you know.
However, studying isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every person has their own way of learning and memorizing information—some people will change the lyrics to their favorite songs to the information that they need to know, while others will write out note cards.
“I look at old handouts and study guides and do the study guides they give us for the final,” junior Anna Bransford says.
However, it’s important to relax a little as well. Taking a five-minute break every half an hour or a ten-minute break every hour can actually improve your studying. Many people suggest stretching, eating a healthy snack, taking a walk and then going back to studying.
“I study for about about an hour and then take a 15-minute break,” junior David Scholink says. “When I take my snack break, I usually eat carrots with ranch.”
You need to make sure that you get plenty of rest the night before your finals. According to the National Sleep Foundation, “most teens do not get enough sleep”—according to one study, only 15 percent of students report sleeping the recommended eight and a half hours.
There’s no way around it: finals week is always a difficult time of year. However, with some of these tips, you can help relieve some of the seasonal stress.
-Kimberly Burns
