Steps to no-stress finals

NEW LEXINGTON — Towards the end of the school year, students have one important thing on their minds… finals.

In the state of Ohio, most high schools require students to take final tests, assignments, or demonstrations for their classes. These count as a large grade and can be detrimental to grades if they are already lower than a student would like. But not to worry, this article will tell students how to prepare for that big test and pass.

A government state test is required for grade 11 to complete and pass. After state testing is complete, students now have to turn their focus to finals. With stress at an all-time high, and the desire to pass, students develop anxiety about completing finals while having a successful grade.

According to an exam study on a sequence of behaviors before, during, and after finals by Jessica Fritz and others, “We found that perceived stress and mental distress increased from the time before the exams to the exam period and decreased after the exams to a lower level than before the exams.”

In order to graduate college or high school, finals need to be completed and passed. That’s a big deal. Teachers educate students and prepare them with different styles of curriculum, which can be hard to adapt to without proper study techniques.

Dustin Householder, 44, teaches junior and senior government and psychology at New Lexington High School.

“I think some teachers do more project-based stuff. English teachers sometimes do more of the book-related stuff. But I genuinely try to review all the stuff we’ve gone over this year,” he said.

With times continuously changing, so has technology and ways of teaching. Products like touch screens, updated computers, and virtual reality have taken over certain school systems. In the past, most schools and colleges relied on books and drawing on chalkboards and whiteboards. When Householder attended college, he claimed that ways of learning were much more different and difficult.

“Stressful. College professors relied on a syllabus throughout the year. Sometimes at the end of the year, they had textbooks in the syllabus that we hadn’t even heard of. They also had this thing that you had to buy called a ‘blue book’ that you would have to log everything from an exam or from the course you took,” Householder said.

Finals don’t have to be stressful. Make sure to follow these steps in order to achieve a great grade and even better stress management skills.

First and the most basic fact, get an adequate amount of sleep.

According to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, “Teens age 13-18 years old should sleep 8 to 10 hours per day.”

Getting the right amount of sleep can boost awareness as well as general mental clarity, so always be prepared for that big test.

Second, it is common knowledge to eat a nutritious breakfast before beginning the day. A breakfast containing protein, such as bacon, sausage, or eggs can provide extra amino acids that are beneficial for both physical and mental health. Amino acids can break down food, balance hormones and repair tissue and muscle.

The third step is one of the most important steps; preparedness. Studying, watching helpful videos and communicating with teachers about current issues can be helpful in making sure the final is aced. Collaborating with other students can help better understand the subject being studied as well as being able to help others in the process.

Hannah Boggess, 17, a junior at New Lexington High School, takes certain steps to prepare for her finals.

“So it depends on what final I’m taking. Like if I know it’s going to be easy, I’ll study for it the night before, and then study for it the class before. So then I’m prepared,” Boggess said. “But if it’s like a really hard final or like its a project, sometimes I might put it off and sometimes I’ll just like be on the ball with it. It depends on how productive I am.”

Naomi Thorne, 17, another junior at New Lexington High School takes a different approach for preparation for her finals.

“Usually I study with flashcards and I’m in the same grade as my sister so we study together. I also study with my friends and we quiz each other on the different subjects,” Thorne said.

Householder grants what he calls “catch-up days” meaning students can get their missing work up to date and have a chance to work on other classes if needed. These study days help students prepare for their finals and mentally prepare themselves for the ending of the school year.

“Don’t overthink things and don’t overstress things. If you feel like you’ve paid attention in class, then generally you should feel fine on the final,” Householder said.

Dylan Hall is a student journalist with Tri-County Career Center and High School and New Lexington Workforce Development Center’s New Media+ program.