As summer approaches many let their minds wander to the idea of no school. Unfortunately, before the days of sleeping in and hanging out with loved ones, students must face the challenge of class finals.  

   Although school lets out earlier during the finals schedule, the week prior to finals marks a storm of last-minute reviews, intense study sessions, and coffee-fueled all-nighters. For students, finals are not only about displaying what they have learned, but also about managing stress with rigorous studying. 

   With final exams approaching, students are finding different strategies to tackle the intense preparation. For many, detailed study plans and focused practice are key. Despite Megan Dowdy (10) being an underclassman in AP Calculus AB, her study plan to ace the class is not to be underestimated.  

   “I bought a workbook for Calc, and I’m planning to do all the practice problems so that I’m more prepared,” said Dowdy. 

   A rampant issue when it comes to exam seasons is the limited time for preparation. That is why it is extremely important to balance out your schedule to be available for your studying efforts. Cramming a whole semester worth of knowledge into a weekend is a disaster waiting to happen. Only having one final exam to worry about, Kaia Davis (12) still wants to make sure that her study schedule does not leave her feeling burnt out.  

   “I start studying 2 weeks before the end of November and rather than doing it in one day, I spread it out throughout the week, so I don’t get discouraged,” said Davis.  

   While finals can be stressful, it is important to incorporate self-care routines in between to maintain focus. Whether it is through exercise or even brief breaks to watch a show, these moments to unwind provide much-needed relief during intense study periods. For Sophie Rasheed (12), even small activities help lighten the burden of the workload. 

   “I get overwhelmed easily, and when that happens, I just scroll on TikTok to decompress or I’ll draw something,” said Rasheed.  

   Finals may be challenging, but with preparation and persistence, students can approach their exams with confidence. Although the process requires dedication and hard work, the reward of a well-deserved break provides a motivating light at the end of the tunnel.