It’s about that time of the year that summer is nearing the horizon. Anxious seniors vigorously waiting for the last day while freshman are hoping to get past those dreadful final exams, but doesn’t everyone?

Final exams and projects never fail to overstress anyone. Although they require much preparation and work, there are study tips and systems that can be used to eliminate the anxiety they bring.

Gracie Wilson ‘17, said, “I think high school finals are good preparation for college. I go through the notes of each chapter and do practice problems. Whatever things I struggle with, I reteach them to myself so that I can understand them.”

Getting ahead in work for the end of the school year always helps to cushion time, and help the anxious nerves or worries of the upcoming finals. The beginning of studying and organizing is the hardest part but once it has begun, task after task seems to unnoticeably fly by.

Asking teachers questions about study guides or tips they have in order to prepare for the exams are a great tool to use. Going to study groups or getting together with friends allows for different ideas and brainstorming from each person.

Cecily Clark ‘17, said, “It’s a good idea to start studying weeks in advance and to continue asking your teachers for help and extra worksheets. Finals can be overwhelming, but if you break it down and focus on one thing at a time it helps a tremendous amount.”

When studying for finals, it’s a necessity to stay organized. One way to do this is by creating quizlets. Wilson, said, “I love quizlet, and use it almost daily because of my spanish class. The app is great and super easy to use.” When making quizlets or notes to study off of, it’s important to remember to include information that is beyond what is on the study guide.

Although studying and preparing for finals take up much time, one of the most important aspects is to get good rest and take study breaks. Studies have proven that test scores are higher when the test taker is well rested rather than tired from staying up late and studying. Study breaks also allow a student to refresh their mind and gain a better focus when they return.