The end of the semester is an exciting but stressful time for high school students. All your vacation plans will come to fruition soon. However, before that happens, you have to face your final exams. This will be a moment of truth, especially since they often weigh heavily on your overall grades. Here’s how you can get ready early and ace these tests:
Create a Study Schedule
Studying should be a top priority, but finding the time is challenging. Create a study schedule that outlines when and what subjects you will study each day. Break up your study sessions into manageable chunks to prevent feeling overwhelmed. See if you can dive deep into studying for 30 minutes to an hour at a time, taking quick breaks away from the designated study area.
Take and Review Class Notes
The notes you take in class should set you up for success when studying. Take thorough notes that include all of the main points discussed in class and highlight the most important information. Consider creating flashcards or outlines to help you condense and review key concepts. Notes are only useful if you actually study them later!
Practice with Past Exams
If your teacher provides past exams or practice questions, be sure to review them. Practice completing sample exam questions under timed conditions to simulate the real exam experience. While you don’t want to speedrun your exam, you may want to try taking it a few times if you struggle to meet the required time. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be when you’re taking the real thing.
Form a Study Group
Motivating yourself to study can be hard. Recruit some of your classmates into a study group, where you can hold each other accountable. Designate some time outside of class to review material and quiz each other. Teaching concepts to others can help reinforce your own understanding of the material. Collaborate on study guides and review sheets to make sure you don’t miss any important information.
Start the Morning Right
One thing that always causes students to struggle during exam periods is not taking proper care of themselves. This can mean staying up too late, eating food that’s not nourishing, and forgetting to physically prepare to take an exam. Before your exam, make sure you’re pacing yourself when it comes to studying and extracurricular activities. Then, on the morning of the exam, have a healthy breakfast, brush your teeth, and get ready to ace that test!
Taking final exams can be intimidating, and the best thing you can do is prepare. At Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, we’re here to support you every step of the way. From counseling on what classes you should take to having five levels of courses available, we set students up for success in test taking and beyond.
