Since finals are next week, you might want to consider some of these tips to help prepare you for your exams

Best Studying Practices:

Carter Halstead

    There are many ways to study effectively. If you learn the tricks to it, studying can become much less of a hassle, and can even be a fun task.

    Rewriting your notes is a popular method that many people use worldwide—in some countries, like Japan, it’s even mandatory, according to Japanese tutor Naho Katagiri.  Rewriting your notes multiple times before test day is well known as one of the best ways to commit information to memory.

    Studying with your friends in a comfortable environment is something a lot of students do at Tigard High. The library is a great place to go after school to relax with peers and study. Teachers and tutors are also available to you if you need any help. It can be fun to study in the company of others you know rather than just working by yourself.

    Making flash cards can be somewhat tedious and sometimes difficult what with the effort required, but they are a great way to practice by yourself or with another person. Flash cards work well when you have some extra study time to spare.

What works best statistically?

Bella Fordon

    It’s easy to take your friend’s advice and try to apply it to yourself, but what works for them isn’t always going to work for you. It all comes down to trial and error when deciding what will really help you study.

    However, statistics and professional advice about students just like you might also push you to the right path and help you realize which methods to consider. If studying in one spot makes you antsy, you might want to try exercising before sitting down for a study session. According to Dr. Douglas B. McKeag, taking the time to work out will improve alertness and ability to take in new information. Additionally, the materials you use might affect your success when studying.

    Try contemplating whether or not using physical or electronic resources work best for you. According to some researchers, the actions of clicking and pointing with electronics actually enhances focus and academic experience. However, trial and error is still necessary to know how you can improve your studying game for the best.

    Along with these tips, you should be sure to observe your surroundings, resources, and habits, because branching out and trying new studying techniques is the fastest way to perfect how you study in time for exams.

Advice from upperclassmen:

Abbi Elliott

    Several upperclassmen have felt the stress of final exams through their years of schooling. Juniors and seniors have shared some tips for lowerclassmen stressing over any work they may have.

    “Do your assignments the night they are assigned, even though it’s hard and you don’t feel like doing it,” junior Emma Vu said. “If you work hard to maintain this you’ll feel much better, more ahead [of work], and overall a lot happier.”

    Vu’s sentiment was echoed by several students, including alumnus Gabriel Lachenmeier.

    “Start your work on time and try your best not to procrastinate,” Lachenmeier said.

    But if it’s too late to do assignments on time or not procrastinate, seniors Eli Maher and Rebecca Christianson have some advice.

    “Look over your material carefully,” Maher suggested.

    “Try not to put off your work until late when you’re half asleep,” senior Rebecca Christianson said. “Try new and different study techniques to help figure out which one works best for you.”

Tips from administrators:

Ellie Davila

    Tyler Davila advised students to make it easy on yourself and chunk your studying, start early, and do a little bit at a time.

    When he was in high school, Davila did just the opposite, and he consequently did a horrible job. He feels like he never got to demonstrate his full potential because he didn’t prepare for tests well. It took Davila a long time to figure out the best way for him to study.

    Later on in high school, he figured it out but only by learning the hard way, and he was not able to do as well as he could have done in school. That made him realize just how stressed he had made himself.

    Finals are already a big stressor for students, but they become much harder if you don’t prepare properly. When you wait until the last minute, your work will never be as good as it could have been.