BY QUENTIN SAUVAGEAU

As summer approaches and the school year wraps around students end the year off by taking the awful and dreaded final exams. What is supposed to be the best time of the year as the weather gets nicer and beach season begins this time can often be overshadowed by these final tests. Finals are longer, denser, can require a lot more studying, and are worth 5-10% of your grade. With all this stress how do students get through them?

Not Caring

One of the ways students get through them is by trying not to care about them. While some students study everything and anything according to the American Psychological Association, this is a form of information overload and doesn’t work. What not caring about the final does is it fully relieves any responsibility you have to get a good grade. 

“I love finals week, it’s not stressful for me because I don’t really care about the grade I get,” says BHS grade ten student Logan Bowen. 

While not caring about your grade can take a weight off your shoulders you also may not be as focused. By taking this approach you are betting on yourself and are taking the risk of not studying.

Spacing out your studying

While trying to cram a lot of content isn’t an effective way of studying, what can be done for better retention is “spacing,” when students study less content at once, stretched out over a longer period of time. By using spacing, students tend to learn more and really understand what they’re learning while avoiding the unpleasant experience of last-minute cramming.

“I like to study healthily.” BHS student Olivia Faletra says, “It helps me feel more prepared.” 

This form of studying allows students to think about the content deeply and learn it without having to stress over trying to cram it within a few hours. 

Post AP Exam

What about the students that don’t take finals? In an AP class after the May text, you don’t have to take a final exam. The stress of that test grade doesn’t seem to linger over students. 

“I feel relieved that it’s over with all the worry being gone,” AP student and rising junior Lily Scotti says. 

With students taking an AP test in May, that time from then to the end of the year doesn’t involve any new content to go over. Students have learned it all before the big exam. 

“The time after the AP tests are great.” AP student BHS Sophomore Drew Murphy says. “The classes are very relaxed and project-based.” 

To take the stress off students, teachers seem to give students projects instead of studying and busy work to do. The time after AP tests is supposed to relieve any stress regarding the test.

The “Final” Verdict

The time before finals can be a time to stress and worry about each test. To calm your worries, think about stuff or do things you like to do while also studying smart. Your grades and your school work are for you not for anyone else. While the time surrounding finals can cause anxiety, put yourself first. 

“I feel good about finals,” Sophomore Nate Wheeler said. “I know as soon as I get them done it will be summer.”