How to Successfully Approach the Spring Finals This Year

As summer quickly approaches, students across all four grades at Stevenson School prepare for spring finals. I joined Stevenson in the sophomore year, and I have experienced three exam finals so far. From my personal experience and by talking to my teachers and friends, I have crafted some pointers that will help alleviate stress for you.

The first thing is to make sure to pay attention throughout the year and semester, and by doing this, you are already helping yourself much more than you know. I spoke to my teachers to hear their perspective on this, and they agreed with me that no matter the class, staying on top of your work is 80% of success already. When you stay engaged during a lesson, you are not only learning valuable information, but you are also saving yourself time when finals come around.

Another important thing is time management. Work piles up and finals can feel really overwhelming. I spoke to a science teacher here at Stevenson, Dr. Becca Upjohn, about this and she states “Cramming the night before is a recipe for blanking on a test when stress blocks your short term memory. Emailing a teacher the night before a final asking for a semester’s worth of guidance is not the route to take. This is your job and your responsibility to budget time for review.” Upjohn’s thoughts highlight a common mistake students make during finals, prioritizing short-term memorization over long term understanding. Cramming could feel productive in the moment, but consistent review is much better for your confidence and actual understanding.

My friend Cody Thatcher, a junior and someone who has been at Stevenson since his freshman year, believes in breaking studying into small manageable sections. “I break up different classes during a period of time, for example if I am working on a big project, I will work on it for 20 minutes, then work on something else, and then I will return to the project.” Thatcher believes that instead of cramming the night before, making a schedule is the key to overall success. This strategy is backed also by Dr. Upjohn who states, “Studying small amounts for all of your classes over two weeks keeps your brain engaged.” She also reiterates the point that “Forcing your brain to keep its attention on one topic for hours at a time is exhausting and not particularly effective the night before a test.”

In addition, finding the most conducive place to study is also very important. Some students prefer to study alone, like myself. However others benefit from working with friends. Present at Stevenson are several spaces for independent and collaborative studying. Rosen Hall is often a space for studying for upperclassmen, and depending on the hour, could be quiet or loud. While for lowerclassmen, the Learning Commons is where they often study. Is it important to stay focused while studying which can be super hard. Putting your phone away while studying is key for success. According to the National Library of Medicine, cell phone use distracts young adults from academic work, and affects their performance in school. Focusing on putting phones down for a specific time dedicated to studying is key for overall success.

Sleep and self care is the final topic, and while it is overlooked, it is truly the most important. When asked if she saw a difference between student work of students who sleep more versus less, Upjohn responded, “Without a doubt. I have taught all different ages up to graduate and postdoctoral students and 9 times out of 10, students who are well-rested, organized, and study early will produce work that is leaps and bounds ahead of poorly-rested students.” Pulling an “all-nighter” may seem like a good idea at the moment, but is not a good idea, and will cause major stress down the line. Putting too much pressure on your academics can also cause issues, so finding the balance in your mindset is important for success for these finals. Remember that communication with your teachers is also important and not something to be afraid of.

In conclusion, after talking to my teachers and fellow students, preparing for finals is less about the last minute struggle and more about healthy, consistent habits. Staying engaged in class, managing time thoughtfully and taking care of you is what should be prioritized this finals season. Rather than the common thought process of cramming information into your head the night before your finals. While finals will always have some elements of stress, implementing better study habits will not only minimize stress, but will also help you succeed!