How to Survive Finals

A Step-By-Step Guide

With final exams coming around, many students are at a loss. “What do I study?” “When do I start preparing?” “Am I going to die?” All of these are very valid questions, and as a previous final-and-midterm examer, I can provide you with helpful tips on how to enter into your testing room, ready to conquer.

1. Check OnCourseConnect
In the past, I have had issues brushing up on topics because I cannot remember what I had trouble with. Freshman year, I failed my systems of equations quiz and didn’t look back. As a result, I did poorly in that section of the final. So, check OnCourse! Scan every class for your lowest test grades and make a list of those topics. Those D’s and F’s no longer just remind you of bad times; it is valuable test-taking data at your fingertips! Use it wisely.
2. Prioritize/Organize
I’ll be honest in saying that I have an issue with getting things done on time. Speaking from experience, leaving weeks worth of work until the day before is stressful and idiotic. So, make a calendar! My favorite strategy is tallying the difficulty of classes and corresponding that information to the amount of days I study. So, if History comes easy to me, I would rate it a one and study for a few hours only one day a week. But, in a class like Chemistry, I would probably give the subject a strong four. Don’t be afraid to study multiple subjects on the same day! Variety makes the learning experiences significantly less boring. Just make sure you have self-discipline and stick to your schedule. Studying over a period of time increases your retention. How long a period of time? Well, I’d say after you’re done reading this article, go map out your study sessions.
3. Go to School!!
This may sound dumb, but I think we all need to be reminded (including myself). Go. To. School. It’s not over yet. Absences run thin in June and the phrase “what’s the point of being here?” is heard often, but despite the tantalizing thought of taking a personal day, show up. Classes are still in session and remaining in them will improve your case of FinalExamitis (often a side affect of Senioritis). Plus, teachers are there to help you learn and review. Stick it out and improvement in your grades will be clear.
4. Work Together
The finals this year are subject-wide, which is a HUGE advantage. What this means is regardless of what teacher you or your friend has, you can study together. He/she will be taking the same test you are. Use this opportunity to form study groups and organize library dates.
5. Be Prepared Exam Day
I know you have heard this before but I’ll say it again: have a good breakfast and sleep well the night before. By this, I do not mean to go bed at 9:30 Sunday night instead of 4 am. Our circadian rhythms have a balance that must be weaned into change, you do not want to feel jet-lagged writing an essay on Napoleon. Energy makes our bodies run smoother and this shows on our Scantrons.
6. Work Through the Week
By now you have been working hard and performing well. You’re almost at the finish line! Almost. Even if you’re done with all but one final that does not mean you stop studying. Any extra minute of review will only help. Finish strong.
Finals are a tough, yet essential, part of our high school lives. Their packets of review, hours of studying, and No. 2 pencils are daunting, but if you follow these steps, you will overcome this challenge with triumph.