Balancing college applications, a social life, sports, or anything else that may affect you personally, there is also the looming matter at hand: final exams. So, how are seniors supposed to prepare and cope with this? Well, here is the senior survival guide to finals!
At Centaurus, there was the annual Cramfest event that C-Squad members run every year. The event is held to create a space for students to study after school hours, before their final exams. Teachers attended Cramfest to help any students that needed help with any homework or review for any subject. Other than amazing staff members, there was also food and drinks provided at the event.
Start early, but don’t overwhelm yourself! Ideally, begin reviewing early, at least one week before finals is best. Regardless of when you start, It’s important to break up your study sessions into manageable amounts of time, with short breaks in between. Starting early could also mean that you ask your teachers what may be on your exams to prepare yourself.
Sleep is non-negotiable, so be sure to avoid all-nighters! Your brain needs sleep to retain information and perform well for your exams. Try to get at the very least 7-8 hours each night during finals week. Studying is important but it should never become a higher priority than your own sleep schedule.
Eat well and stay hydrated in order to help your brain. Healthy snacks, fruits, vegetables, and protein are what will help you the most. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and awake. It’s common practice to drink energy drinks and coffee to help you with your energy levels, however avoid too much caffeine during finals week. This idea seems great until you are mid-exam and begin to get the jittery feeling, along with a headache.
Practice old tests and review notes, revisiting past quizzes, exams, and notes can be incredibly helpful. Get comfortable with the test format and what types of questions may be on your test. Going through the semester’s material from start to finish will help with your memory or any past units you may need more practice with.
Don’t forget to relax before the exam. Take deep breaths, stretch, or take a short walk. Staying calm will help you approach your final with a clear mind. It’s difficult to keep your mind from racing with nerves during the test, so understand what helps you calm down and implement this prior to your exam.
This is a difficult time for Seniors, but putting these tips into practice will make finals week much easier. Reward yourself after your last final by treating yourself and celebrating your hard work and the end of the semester. You got this Warriors!
