By: Ashlynn Martinez
With the semester coming close to an end, that means that tests and finals season begins. This is the time of year where students begin to get stressed out or become anxious about how they will perform on their finals. Will they remember everything that they learned in the past few months? Will they overthink an easy question? Will they have enough energy or time to finish the tests? The questions are endless, but of course students can prepare themselves by studying. So the question is: “What are some tips to a successful study time?”.
There are several different studying methods. Some examples include:
- The Feynman Technique: Learning a subject and explaining it or summarizing it in simple terms
- Testing Yourself: Having someone quiz you or quiz yourself using flashcards, Quizlet, or notes
- Study Before Bed: Sleeping is necessary for brain function, memory formation, and learning
While all of these are great tips and methods to study, students here at El Diamante High School also have different tips to use their study time wisely for it to be successful. To find out these tips, upperclassmen were interviewed to help the underclassmen better prepare for their finals.
Some students like senior, Megan Galhandro said, “I just re-read everything until I don’t need to use my notes,” while others like senior, Sophia Alvarez said, “I like making my own Quizlet flashcards or just flashcards in general and quizzing myself without using notes from the lesson.” An anonymous student added, “ I like teaching the material that the test is on to someone who doesn’t know while only using my memory and what I have learned or gotten from the lessons.” These are also great ideas to remember the material and be successful when it comes to taking the test.
The school itself also provides a place and time for students to study. Cocoa and Cram is an event that takes place in the school’s library where students can study with a group of friends and drink hot cocoa and have other Christmas treats. This brings a festive atmosphere while also preparing students for their finals. This is a great resource that the school provides students with to give them help and the preparation they need. Teachers also have office hours where students can go in and get help from their specific teachers. There is also Saturday school. This provides a quiet space for students to catch up or study for upcoming tests.
Yes, this time can be very stressful, but with the proper help and these ideas of different ways to study, this time won’t be very challenging and will better prepare students for the upcoming finals.