Preparing for final exams correctly is the key to success. One must learn to manage time wisely, organize, and strategize to overcome difficult problems. In order to find the right days and times to study, one must manage time. This means getting started right away! Think about the hours in the day. We are allotted 24 hours each day, minus the time needed to perform daily necessities such as eating, sleeping, going to school, and working. The time leftover is for you to spend as you wish. It is a wise suggestion to spend this time wisely! Procrastination is a common path to take but ultimately a poor one. Students who are able to plan strategies and manage their studying effectively will benefit from more confidence and less stress.
If you find yourself cramming study time late into the night and are exhausted the next day, then your time management plan has some severe flaws. It is very important to plan for adequate sleep each day as well as exercise and consuming a normal portion of meals. This does not include only drinking coffee and caffeine to keep you energized! Taking precautions and watching energy and anxiety levels will help you stay healthy and less stressed. If you happen to find yourself stressed out either during your studying hours or while taking the actual exam, there are many different methods that may be used to ease this anxiety. Relaxation is key and can be found be taking a break or counting to ten. Don’t overload yourself. Taking study breaks is not only relaxing but also healthy.
Many do not realize how easy it is to avoid a study schedule. With different distractions such as cell phones, TV, friends, and family constantly present, it is important to learn to say “no” occasionally. Catching yourself in the act of procrastination much of the time goes unnoticed. Therefore, these distractions can be avoided by learning to stay on topic and isolating yourself from these distractions.
Organization plays a significant role in the preparation process as well. As you start preparing for finals, you need to take into consideration which finals are the hardest. You must also determine specific materials that should be studied. Think of the different topics your teacher has covered throughout the semester and eliminate things you are more familiar with. Focusing on topics that you aren’t as comfortable with will help you expand your knowledge of that topic. These difficult subjects should also receive more time for studying and preparation. If you find yourself stumped with them, take into consideration different options of study methods. Making practice exams is a good way to review the material and overcome the anxiety of tests. Using index cards to test yourself or finding songs that could help you memorize material are easy ways to break down difficult subjects.
During your actual final exam, it is important to avoid negative thoughts. Staying positive allows for relaxation and ease. Reading each question carefully and checking to make sure your answer number matches the scantron are easy things to do to avoid the risk of silly mistakes. Overall, take your time. You are given plenty of time to finish your test, so why rush? This only increases the risk of mess-ups!
Second semester final exams at Jacksonville High School will be taking place on Friday, May 22 for 2, 4/5, and 6th hour exams; Tuesday, May 26 for 1, 3, and 7th hour exams; and Wednesday for 8th hour exams and early bird exams. All final exam days will include a makeup/review session at the end of the day as well. Make sure to finalize with your teachers whether or not you have exempted their final and be prepared on your tests days. Remember, use your time wisely (don’t cram or procrastinate) and organize! With a simple and easy study schedule, finals will prove to be less stressful. Trust me!