Final Exams, Final Chance
Written by: Becca Friesen
9F Journalism

Christmas vacation just ended, teenagers are swarming the halls, filling the air with endless talk and laughter. Who’s thinking about those troublesome final exams? They’re still four more months away. Wait, four months? Yikes! Where did the time go? Even though it seems far away, when you can’t find that Science paper Ms. Smart promised would be part of the test, or can’t remember what BEDMAS stands for, even though Mr. Neaves attempted to pound it into your brain, it can seem like the end of your life. Final exams are your last chance to make a good impression on your report card.

Why should I start studying? It’s four months away! This is one of the trickiest situations because you generally do not want to do more work than you have to. Yet, if you don’t crack the books soon, you could find yourself as that ‘failing student’ Mr. Thiara always mentions. Studying can be a breeze if you plan it right, though. Every night, try to study everything for 5 minutes, at least. That’s 20 minutes, which isn’t bad at all. If you have a few solid hours of work that night, cut back your time and if you find a homework-free day then add a few minutes.

I am going to fail! Can you do my fortune, too? Seriously, though, chances are if you just relax, do a few breathing exercises and study every night, you will do just fine. If you’re still worried, try to figure out why. Is it the actual material in the test? Talk to your core subject teachers and see if you cannot figure out a good plan to study. Is writing the two-hour demon your main concern? Just relax. Many people get these worries, but the exams aren’t too bad. Bring a book, some Crystal Light and a few hard candies so you can enjoy your leftover minutes. Filling out the bubbles got you stressed? This has always been a worry of mine, since teachers stress correct ‘bubble filling-in technique’ for better marks. Again, just relax and do your best to fill them in. You have two hours, so take the time to do a perfect job.

I can’t find my (fill in some form of assignment)! Lucky for you, this article came out four months in advance. Chances are if you lost your chapter 3 review test and you talk to your social teacher, they can give you a copy. Since you are giving them notice, this shows that you are serious about doing well on your exams. No teacher wants you to fail, contrary to popular belief. If your teachers do not have any extra copies ANYWHERE or they can’t photocopy it for whatever reason, turn to your buds. If your friends don’t have the assignment either, you have classmates. Though it may just kill you to ask your arch nemesis for that last set of notes, it could give you confidence on those last few questions on the exam.

I don’t get anything we’ve done in class! Talk to your teachers. A few teachers offer help before school, at break or lunch and even after school for that extra boost. Even if it’s not something they typically do, if you talk to them and explain your situation calmly, they will probably help you in some form. If you cannot get the help you need, try talking to your pals or even classmates for that quick run-down on your latest confusion.

Final exams are stressful, and they’re enough to send anyone running for the hills. You can reduce how fast you run by studying and prioritizing. Final exams are great practice for your basic high school pop quiz. Before your test, drink some juice or eat a granola bar and do a few jumping jacks. Yes, it sounds silly. Yet it’s been proven to increase test scores by up to 5%! Plus, even if it doesn’t work, at least you get some Kool-Aid. In short, study for a few minutes every night, ask questions and relax. Exams may seem like the worst thing in the world, but if you prioritize, that extra few marks on your report can seem like the best thing since sliced bread.