By Upper-School Alyna Rei
This December 12-16, Palm Valley Upper School takes its final semester exams. In order for you to pass the semester with a good grade, you have to study or at least prepare for these finals. These exams count 20% of the semester average. I wouldn’t say I do amazing in every test I take, but I do employ some helpful strategies. Over the years, these are some things that helped me keep my grades and my mind sane.
The before process
The before-the-exam process is just as important as taking the actual exam. Some things that I do “before” are:
- Listen to calm music:
You won’t be focused enough if you listen to music that has words, is upbeat, and fast paced. I prefer to listen to calm classical music. If you feel that you can focus with words, then listen to calm music with slow words.
- Take little breaks:
When I say a little break, I don’t mean an hour break going on electronics. You’re already on electronics, so adding more to your eyes will be bad. I recommend around 5-10 minutes. It’s also good to break your study time in 30 minute/1 hour increments. When you take your tiny break, try to do something not on electronics. Maybe read a book, take a walk, or rest your eyes.
- Get a snack; make sure you’re well fed:
If you haven’t had a full meal, then get a snack that can last the entire study session. Or make sure you eat that meal beforehand. If you are on an empty stomach, then you will most likely be distracted by the fact that you are getting hungry.
Test day
Now is the most important time. Taking the test is not the end of the world, and you will eventually come out with a finished exam (or not). I also prepare for the test day itself, and these are the things that I do:
- Make sure your mind is clear and clean
If your mind is crowded, then you will most likely be very distracted. This could make an impact on your performance. So, it’s best to be relaxed and calm during the exam to have successful results.
- Be calm; chill out
You’re not going to die. It’s an exam. Chill out. Calm down; you only have one task to do and that’s to finish this test on a good note.
- Don’t rush while taking the exam
If you did not study or you feel less prepared, then that’s not an excuse to zoom through the exam. If you are stuck on a question, then it is best to skip that question and come back when you’re done with the rest of the questions. If you can’t answer the question, then you should just take an educated guess.
The best part about the exams is that we have a two-week and one-day break ahead. So now you can relax.