Barstow students are known for their academic excellence and with finals coming up for those in 8th grade and above, studying strategies are the key to their success.
“Students should not stay up late studying. Or like even out what’s happening and what you’re doing so you don’t burn out before finals even starts,” Abby Kaye ‘27 explains. “And get lots of sleep the nights before and the week before and do things that you enjoy!” she said.
In fact, most of the tips Kaye ‘27 recommended were in a post by The Princeton Review that said taking care of yourself and being prepared for your finals makes for an easier test. The Princeton Review is a meritable source that most high schoolers use to study for their finals.
Though finals may be stressful, students also make fun and meaningful memories during their mayhem filled week. Finals week is infamous but has its good sides, like sitting alone with a pile of food? “I ordered food and they sent my driver on a bicycle…they said ‘hey, your order’s not going to be ready for another hour and it was like eleven thirty. Besides that, I think eating 20 chicken nuggets in the commons alone was pretty memorable,” Kauffman ‘27 reminisced. Wow, really eventful.
Some people’s memories are more mellow than others. “I really enjoyed playing Clue with [my friends],” Kaye mentioned. During finals week, it’s best to take a break. Just like the Pomodoro method of studying, alternating between work and a break increases the chance of remembering what you study. Whether it’s playing basketball or taking a nap, it’s important to rest and do what you like to wind down after a stressful 2 hour test.
Eating balanced meals are also important to memorizing new information. Healthy food doesn’t always have to be a boring salad or granola. Snacks like berries, protein, and especially chocolate are good brain food. These foods increase your brain health and productivity, both important aspects of studying.
Some tips our interviewees gave for rest sounded very relaxing. “Meditation is a good way to calm down. I know, literally everyone says it and I’m a Buddhist but it helps you genuinely feel more at ease after doing it,” Kauffman ‘27 recommends.
Meditation is a technique used by people to calm down and focus on whatever they’re trying to do. It can reduce stress and lengthen your attention span. And meditation isn’t just about sitting criss-cross for an hour. There are small exercises that can take 5-7 minutes as well.
Finals can definitely take a toll on our peace of mind but it doesn’t always have to control how we do on our tests. Following study methods and taking breaks are easy ways to control your stress and get that A!
