Finals can be very stressful and overwhelming. It can be confusing to know how to start when studying so here is my process.

Most teachers post final study guides only about two weeks before finals are scheduled to happen. Since you only have one week, it is important to start right away. It’s a lot of work but you will thank yourself on Sunday night before finals when you’ve finished all your study guides and feel ready to take your tests. When starting my studying process I like to start just doing a little bit at a time until I finish everything and then the weekend right before finals, I like to go over all of the information one last time just to lock it in. 

There are a lot of ways to study for finals including filling out the provided study guide. I like to make note cards with all of the possible questions, formulas, and definitions I will need to know. I find that writing information down helps me to remember the information. Note cards are also useful because you can have your parents quiz you on the material or you can quiz your friends. Doing sample problems is another great studying method. Practice questions help you to take a concept and apply it. Once you apply it, you can be confident that you really understand the information. 

Final exams may appear to be the most important things in the world but they should not impact your well-being. Even though 20% may seem like a large portion of a grade, it’s really not if you have been working hard all semester. One low test score will  not ruin your GPA or your chances to get into college. Make sure to get good sleep and don’t be too hard on yourself. Study well, do your best, and be proud of yourself for finishing the semester strong.