The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The final countdown

Using+his+Physics+review+guide%2C+senior+Brandon+Eckhoff+solves+force+problems.
Sarah Lashly
Using his Physics review guide, senior Brandon Eckhoff solves force problems.

The school year is coming to a close, summer is 10 days away, and on top of all of that, finals for underclassmen are right around the corner.

According to a Pathfinder survey, two thirds of students are stressed out about finals. For those who are panicking about finals, here are some tips from some students and teachers that may help ease your anxieties.

Pathfinder: Teachers, how would you recommend your students study for finals?

Kim Hanan-West, English teacher: “When I was in college, I would take a couple of chapters a night for a comprehensive exam, study those chapters until I completed the full course of study and then I would go back right before the final and review the most important parts. That really seemed to help the most.”

Colleen O’Toole, science teacher: “I am a big flashcard person. The actual act of making the flashcards is helpful because you physically have to write it out. Your brain is writing, thinking and seeing it at the same time. When I studied for finals, I would rewrite answers over and over again so they would stick in my head, things that I know I needed to remember.”

Students, how do you prepare for finals?

Maddie Noonan, junior: “I just study a lot because we have those little half days. I also make flashcards and study guides. I always take lots of breaks when I’m studying so that I’m not too overloaded with all of the information. Take it a section at a time, spend a half hour studying and then take a break.”

Brandon Eckhoff, senior: “I would say review your study guides and, review your notes. And a good way to stay on task would be to cut down on the music listening. For me, every time I listen to music I just get off task.”

Sarah Lashly
At lunch, junior Maddie Noonan prepares for her English III final exam.

How have your study habits changed over time?

Eckhoff: “I know the right things to study more than I did when I was a freshman. As a freshman, I would look through everything I had and I wouldn’t really learn anything from it. I would just try to remember everything. Now that I am a senior, I just look at the study guide. Usually the study guides are just like the tests.”

Noonan: “Freshmen year, I think I was a lot more stressed about finals, but [now] I have just become more experienced and know what to study and ask my teachers for help. It has also helped me with time management. As I got more used to taking finals, I learned how to prepare and I have also learned to cut down on unnecessary things, like stuff that I didn’t really need to study for finals that I studied anyway in the past.”  

What advice would you give to other students who are stressed out about finals?

Eckhoff: “It always seems like your grade-killer but it always ends up being okay. Usually kids that struggle with borderline grades (like a B to an A) are the hardest classes, but other than that it’s not too bad.

Emily Lovercheck, math teacher: “For the most part, they are cumulative, so it’s stuff that they know. They just need to go back and refresh their memory. It’s not anything new so they just need to take it one day at a time and don’t get overwhelmed.”

Jeff Chazen, history teacher: “Don’t stress, number one. Number two, the sooner you can start studying—you study in little chunks—that’s better than cramming and cramming, which never gets you anywhere except in trouble.”

Noonan: “Don’t stress—it will be fine. The more you stress, the worse your scores will be. If you just study and relax, it will be okay.”

View Comments (10)
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About the Contributor
Sarah Lashly, COPY COACH
Grade:  11 Years on Staff:  3 If you were a fictional character, who would you be?  Garfield Does the toilet paper go over or under on the roll?  I just throw it on and roll with it. How many alarms do you set in the morning to get up on time?  Just one, but I hit snooze twice. Favorite Quote:  "I'm not superstitious, but...I am a little-stitious." -Michael Scott
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Comments (10)

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  • N

    Nancy GastMay 23, 2017 at 10:26 am

    Great article. Many good ideas for helping getting through those stressful times. Well written. Good job Sarah. Have a nice summer.

    Reply
  • J

    Jan ReichterMay 16, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Very nice tips. I think I’ll pass them on to my grandchildren!

    Reply
  • M

    Merry GnaegyMay 16, 2017 at 7:45 am

    Good ideas, Sarah…but I’m glad those days of studying for finals are way behind me! I always found that getting a good night’s sleep was more beneficial than staying up all night to cram.

    Reply
  • P

    pam heatonMay 15, 2017 at 9:11 pm

    As always, a well written article, Sarah. Techniques for studying for finals from both teachers and
    students alike, allow the students to choose what path they would like to follow while gearing up for finals!

    Reply
  • L

    Lois HendricksonMay 15, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    What a great idea for a story. I think the tips certainly would have been helpful for me. Good luck on your finals.

    Reply
  • S

    Sandy FordMay 15, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Well done, fun to read the article.

    Reply
  • A

    Anne and Jim ScottMay 15, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Another fine article, Sarah. Will you be reporting next year, as well?

    Reply
  • N

    Nancy LynnMay 15, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    It has been a delight to read these stories this semester! Thank you!

    Reply
  • M

    Mark LashlyMay 15, 2017 at 11:06 am

    Good article filled with great tips!

    Reply
  • S

    Susie LashlyMay 15, 2017 at 10:55 am

    There are lots of good ideas in your article, Sarah! Good luck on YOUR exams!

    Reply
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