Hey, Warriors, it’s almost that time of year again! Finals are right around the corner, and that means the stress of studying is near too. For many of you, this is the first time you will even take finals in your high school career. I know it can seem like an impossible task to sit down and get going, but I’m here to hopefully give you a few tips you can use to make preparing for finals a bit easier.

1. Start Early! The worst thing you can do is wait until a few days before all your exams to start studying. Procrastination will only lead to you trying to cram all the information into your head and ultimately perform poorly. Instead, start as soon as today. Taking even just thirty minutes out of your day to refresh on a subject will help you steadily prepare for all your finals.

2. Utilize your teachers! They are there to help you succeed and do your best. It is not embarrassing at all to ask your teacher questions about anything you have previously learned. It is very likely that if you thought of a question, someone else did too. Teachers know the material best and are one of the best resources available to help you prepare for finals.

3. Go to review sessions! Many teachers hold either in-person or virtual review sessions as finals draw nearer. Even attending just one of these sessions can be very beneficial. Having someone who knows the class content well (and who knows the final exam well) walk you through different questions will make you feel more comfortable with what you will be expected to know for the final.

4. Be an active studier! I know it can be tempting to just read your notes and think that will be enough to ace your exams, but from firsthand experience I can tell you this does not work as well as you think. To best prep for final exams, you need to engage with the content of your classes. Whether it is making a stack of flashcards for all the vocab words, or finding a Kahoot online with review questions, there are many ways to actively study. I would personally recommend using websites like quizlet.com, where many past students have created study guides about the same topics you learned this semester.

5. Take breaks! Your mind can only take in so much information at once, so don’t kill it. After a long study session, it is more beneficial to rest and do something you enjoy than to keep grinding away with a fatigued mind. This will only cause you to retain less of the information and will actually harm your chances once exams come around. If you feel like you are falling off the wagon, stop and go do something fun, then come back once you feel rested and ready to keep studying.

I know one test that accounts for 20% of your grade seems insane, but it really is not as bad as you think. Millions of high school students have gone through the same things you are feeling right now. What it all comes down to ultimately is how prepared you feel. The amount of preparation needed for finals differs for each person. Prepared or not, walk into that testing room with confidence in your abilities. I believe in each and every one of you, and I know you’ll all kill it. Good Luck!