Preparing for final exams is one of the most stressful times of the school year, and it occurs twice. The pressure to maintain or improve grades can heighten anxiety for many students. With activities, sports, and clubs, it becomes difficult to find the time to prepare. Studying helps make you feel prepared and ready to take on tests and projects. Here are effective ways to study and prepare to eliminate or reduce stress:
1. Organize your schedule
Open a planner, calendar or Google Doc to form a schedule. Start by marking your calendar with clubs, sports, rehearsals, etc (it may be necessary to skip non-required activities this week, and that’s okay!). Prioritize what you know you need more work on and allow yourself more time in that subject. Form a studying schedule to allow yourself time for each class.
2. Find your study strategy
Studying may be most beneficial for you by revisiting your notes or playing review games. You may prefer flashcards or writing down a brain dump of what you know. The review guides provided by your teacher may not be the only way to effectively study. It is important to find a studying strategy that best suits your learning style to prepare for exams.
3. Visit a new environment
Find a quiet place that is free of distractions to crank out those review guides. Stay after school for tutoring or find a silent COMPASS. The local public libraries have soundproof study rooms. Coffee shops are also a great option if you need a little treat to get you through the session! Sometimes a new location is all you need to focus on your work.
4. Ask for help when you need it
As mentioned before, East Campus and Central Campus have tutoring after school four days a week. If your busy schedule doesn’t allow this, utilize your COMPASS period to study and get help from teachers. Sometimes it is nice to take a break and go on your phone during Homeroom. While this is relaxing and well-needed, it may be important to make use of this time if your after-school schedule is full.
5. Don’t Cram
It is important to study at least a couple of days before to build up your understanding and remember for test day. Cramming increases stress and anxiety (which we have enough of!) and messes with your sleep schedule.
6. Get sleep
Studies prove teenagers need at least 8 hours of sleep. To increase your hours of rest by reducing stress, you can put together your morning routine the night before. Set out your outfit, prepare your healthy breakfast, and pack your lunch to make mornings less challenging. Getting proper sleep assures your mind and body will be ready to do well on your tests.
7. Take care of yourself
Whether it is doing your hair, taking a nice shower, or getting a coffee, it is important to prioritize your well-being. When you feel frustrated or stressed out, start by doing something that makes you happy. Find a way to regulate your emotions; this could be done by listening to music or meditating.
To conclude, taking care of yourself and establishing practical and effective strategies to study is crucial for success on your final exams. With these practices in place, you will be better prepared to enhance your understanding, manage stress, and succeed in achieving your academic goals this semester. Tests are an inevitable part of our academic life, but with preparation and confidence, you can achieve your goals.
