As the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year comes to a close, many students find themselves anxious about finals. Finals count for 1/7 of the semester grade causing students to feel overwhelmed by the worry of doing badly. This article focuses on ways to find success in the looming finals. 

The finals schedule this semester will look very similar to the years before. The only difference being the staggered class times for underclassmen and upperclassmen that Kokomo High School adopted at the beginning of this school year. 

Finals Schedule:

• Thursday, December 17th: Periods 1, 3, and 7
• Friday December 18th: Periods 2, 4, 5, and 6 

Finals may look daunting for students seeking to end the semester with a good grade, but with effort, hair-raising finals quickly turn into a simple test. Though it may seem obvious, many students forgot the most valuable action they can take for success, STUDY. By memorizing the information that appears on the final, you will be infinitely more successful.

“Try not to cram everything in the night before. It is better to review and re-read notes or practice in smaller chunks over the course of a week, preferably right before bed so your brain can organize and process the information while you sleep for better retention,” said vice principal Jennifer Fowler. “If you practice through the week, chances are you will feel more confident going into the test! And definitely take brain breaks- go for a walk, color, sing, etc. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep and to eat breakfast the day of finals.” 

Another issue students often find themselves in is not knowing the information that finals will cover. The greatest thing to do is to ask your teachers what the finals will cover. Physics teacher Tom Ferguson agrees stating the best questions to ask your teachers are “Is your test cumulative?” and “What are the key topics?” 

To be successful on the upcoming finals, be sure that you are prepared. Though it may sound cheesy, with hard work and determination, you will find success.