Dreaded Final Exams

January is not that far off, and with January comes the end of the first semester of the school year... and the dreaded final exams. Students world-wide always welcome the end-term exams with trepidation and anxiety. And, of course, the anxiety is greater when students are not doing as well as they'd like.

But there are ways to minimize final exam anxiety if students begin to prepare for the tests early, and, now, is the time to begin studying. Here are suggestions to help prepare students for final exams.

• Review all notes for the semester (September to December) by recopying them, and reorganizing and synthesizing them into study guides. For example, in a beginning foreign language class, notes can be organized by vocabulary themes and grammar topics (like verbs and pronouns).
• When the notes are unclear or confusing, ask the teacher specific questions to clarify the notes.
• Make arrrangements to study with friends and quiz each other on the subject matter.
• Take advantage of tutoring opportunities from teachers, school organizations like NHS, and peers.
• Review old tests and quizzes. Make corrections. If a correction cannot be made, ask the teacher for help.
• Don't wait to the last minutes to start studying. Procrastination always creates great anxiety and stress.
• Finally the night before exams, get a good night's rest (go to bed early) and have a good protein-filled breakfast the morning of exams. (Protein keeps the brain alert.)