Winter break is approaching, and students look forward to relaxing at home, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying a break from the stress of school. However, a major thing has to be completed before the fun can begin: the final exams. The first term at LHS is quickly coming to an end. After winter break is over, students will start new classes. Final exams for many classes are starting soon or have already started. Final exams cover material from throughout the course which is why it is important to be prepared for it.
Some students wait until the last minute to study for the final exam. Instead of prioritizing studying, students procrastinate until the final exam date is near. This causes them to stress and start cramming information which means they won’t retain any of the knowledge that they learned. It’s good to start studying a little bit before the exam date.
For one, having an organized plan will help when it comes to studying. Planning when you will have study sessions, what main topics you need to study, and how you will study are things to consider. This will help students see just how much work they have to handle. Writing things down in a planner or on your phone and also setting reminders will help you stick to your final exam plan.
A mistake some students make is studying material from the beginning of their course and then getting overwhelmed when they realize just how much information there is. A good tip to help with that is to start by studying topics that you know will most likely be on the exam. The units that were mostly focused on in class are more likely to be on the exam than the smaller units. Once you are positive you have nailed the basics, you can start moving on to the other units. If you are provided with copies of past final exams, it may be helpful to look over them to help you prepare.
Depending on how you work, having a group of friends get together for a study session can also be beneficial. Playing mini-games to help refresh your memory, comparing class notes, going over practice problems with your study group, and just talking about the content of the course are all good strategies when studying. Some people work better alone in the comfort of their home with no distractions while others work better in a different setting. Finding what works best for you is important as it can have a great impact on how you do on your exams.
Losing sleep over the final exams is not a good thing. You might think staying up to study will help for your exam but it just tires you out and adds unwanted stress. Studying while you are barely awake won’t help with remembering facts and most students end up forgetting what they went over by the next day. Being well-rested will help students in the long run. Sleeping well, eating well, and taking brain breaks are all necessary. You don’t want to overwork yourself because it is not healthy for your mental health.
Final exams may seem very intimidating and unmanageable. Although they can be stressful, having the right approach can be extremely helpful when it comes to finals. Getting an early start, using study strategies, taking care of yourself, etc. are important things to keep in mind while preparing. These are only a few tips that will help with passing your exams. Everyone has different work habits and it will be easier when you find what works best for you.
