By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer
// Finals week is a daunting time for most students. Unlike previous years, teachers will only have one week to review with their students before they hand out their final tests of the semester. While it may seem challenging, there are some ways to conquer stress. Here are 10 brief tips for the first-semester finals week.
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Don’t panic about grades
Finals may seem scary, but in reality, they don’t count as heavily as a regular exam. While it may vary from teacher to teacher, final exams are between 10 and 15 percent of your grade. This doesn’t imply that finals are not important. Finals give teachers a sense of how much each individual student has learned and grown over the past several months.
2. Assemble a review packet
In high school, it is always critical to hold onto everything for the entire semester. Final tests generally cover everything in the teacher’s curriculum since August. While teachers may hand out study guides, it is also good to make a review packet. Review worksheets, notes, old tests, and anything else that can be seen as study material. These will come in handy because not everything on the study guide will be on the test.
3. Look at the Rogerhub “final grade” calculator
Created by Roger Chen in 2009, the final grade calculator shows how much one will need to score on a final to earn a certain grade. https://rogerhub.com/final-grade-calculator
4. Know the schedule
Finals week is held from Monday, Jan. 14 through Thursday, Jan. 17, with no school that Friday. Each day is divided into two periods, with brunch in between and the final test ending at 12:20. The schedule reads as follows:
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Monday: period zero and period four
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Tuesday: period one and period five
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Wednesday: period two and period seven
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Thursday : period three and period six
5. Attend review sessions and talk with teachers during Academy
Many teachers will offer review sessions that will usually take place during Academy or during period zero. Here, teachers will go over vital information and key concepts that will appear on the exam. It is also best to ask questions. Meeting with a teacher can provide students with helpful tips on what to study and what to prepare for.
By Sarah Westergren
6. Create a study schedule
Don’t wait until the last minute to cram! Make sure to create a study schedule at least two weeks ahead of time. Studying every subject all at once is not a great idea. Dividing work into sections can prevent one from becoming overwhelmed with work.
7. Design a Quizlet
Quizlet is a popular quiz website that is used by one in every two high schoolers across the country. The website ranges from flashcards to a customized test. Creating potential questions can broaden one’s expectations on what is yet to come.
8. Prioritize each test
Some final exams may be more challenging than others. It is important to prioritize enough time towards each subject. Some may weigh more than others. Make sure to learn how much each final is worth and study wisely.
9. Take breaks
Studies have shown students cannot handle a huge load of work at once; that is where balance comes in. Breaks can come in handy to refresh one’s mind and will restore focus.
10. Stay healthy
This is absolutely crucial. Make time to eat well and avoid foods high in sugar, fat, or sodium. Sleep is a critical part of finals week as well. It is recommended that teens get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Don’t stay up until two in the morning cramming for your exams.
With these Blueprint tips in mind, you’re sure to ace every final this semester.