The semester is now coming to an end and students are excited for the long awaited christmas break. Yet, what also creeps closer that is not as highly anticipated is finals week. Students are stressed trying to cram their tired brains with as much information in order to get a good grade on the finals. With the right preparations and study tips, finals will not be so dire.

The amazing group of counselors at Cathedral came up with many amazing tips on how to prepare for finals. For studying, they recommend practicing good time management and organization skills. Students should make a plan on how to stay productive on studies. The best way to do this is by identifying the most difficult final to the least difficult. Prioritizing the hardest finals will ensure a more organized process. Another great tip is to study with friends. According to Oxford learning, studying in a group can increase a students comprehension of the material. The counselors also recommend students have a good study environment. A calm and quiet study environment with minimal distractions can increase productivity. Places that are recommended are coffee shops, libraries, and book stores. The academic center is a great place to study by yourself or with friends. Yet, short breaks every thirty minutes are suggested in order to stay focused. Another very important factor in preparing for finals is our health. Making sure we are getting our nutrients and enough sleep is very important.

Another great tool to ensure success in finals is tutoring. At Cathedral, the National Honors Society is offering tutoring during dead week after school. (2:30-3:30) in Mr. Caro’s classroom. They are offering tutoring for any math level, chemistry, and biology. Furthermore, students should ask their teachers about office hours. Many teachers offer office hours, which is a time for any questions students might have on the material. Office hours are a great way to ensure a student’s understanding on the subject matter.

Finals will be a breeze if students take advantage of the many tools available at Cathedral for finals. With the right preparations, finals are just a minor setback on any exciting Christmas break plans!