Each semester, high school students across the country prepare to participate in one of the most academically demanding periods of the school year: finals week. These exams require students to demonstrate their comprehension of knowledge from their various academic courses, often contributing a significant percentage to their semester grades and, by extension, a student’s overall academic standing. The pressure of finals, combined with extracurricular commitments, advanced coursework, or post-secondary planning such as college admissions, can make this week separating the school year from summer or winter break very stressful and impact both well-being and performance. 

To support successful preparation for finals week, The Pitch has compiled a list of 10 tips based on insights from both students and teachers that may help students approach finals week with clarity, confidence, and resilience. These strategies aim to support more balanced and thoughtful approaches to managing academic responsibilities that can work for everyone. 

No. 1: Set clear goals and organize your academic priorities

Start finals week preparations by identifying your tasks and then organizing them based on their importance, difficulty, and due date. Using a planner or checklist can help make assignments feel more manageable, prevent you from forgetting tasks, and decrease anxiety. 

No. 2: Reduce procrastination through time management

Avoiding procrastination begins with managing your time intentionally and will help decrease the stress of last-minute cramming before exams. Dividing work into smaller and more focused study sessions can boost motivation and efficiency. Methods like using a timer or the Pomodoro method can help keep you on track to success. 

No. 3: Prioritize quality over quantity when studying

Effective studying requires students to be intentional and mentally active in order to retain and apply information. The time spent studying doesn’t always equate to understanding or good grades. This is why you should avoid passive studying and instead focus on minimizing distractions by working in a quiet environment or being on Do Not Disturb. These simple practices can help maximize time spent studying or preparing for finals week.

No. 4: Utilize academic support and resources

Your academic success is a shared effort, and it’s important to advocate for your own learning. It’s advised to reach out to your teachers before quiet week and take advantage of the many resources available, such as tutorial periods, counseling, the library, and peer tutoring (which takes place in classroom 126 every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.). 

No. 5: Adapt study plans to fit your needs

Effective preparation isn’t a one-size-fits-all; allowing flexibility is essential to achieve long-term success. If a study method or routine isn’t working or benefiting your understanding of the material or staying focused, consider changing your strategy. Choosing approaches that align with your learning needs can help improve your time efficiency and strengthen academic results.

No. 6: Build and rely on a supportive learning environment

Your environment can support or hinder your learning, whether it’s made up of supportive peers, encouraging trusted adults such as your teachers, counselors, or family members, or isolated study time. A strong support system can provide accountability and make academic challenges feel more manageable and less unpleasant. That is why it’s important to choose spaces and people that help you stay focused, positive, and confident.

No. 7: Test your knowledge with active recall and practice

You shouldn’t just read materials or notes; instead, actively test yourself on the material. There are many ways to engage your brain in order to retain information, including methods like flashcards, a study partner, or apps like Quizlet or Khan Academy. The more you practice retrieving information without a visible answer in your notes or textbook, the better prepared you’ll be when you take your finals.

No. 8: Prioritize and maintain your physical and mental well-being 

Studying, both before and during finals week, requires energy and focus, often leading to students feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or fatigued. To help prevent these effects on your health, try to take breaks, get enough rest to recharge your body, eat, and hydrate. Despite caffeine’s popular role in students’ lives as an energy boost, it should never replace essential sleep. You should prioritize your health over other tasks and find a balance between essential self-care and studying. Incorporating things that spark joy when working, whether it’s listening to music or spending time with friends, family, or a furry friend, can make you feel better.

No. 9: Focus on progress, not perfection

Finals offer an opportunity to demonstrate to your teachers and yourself what you’ve learned, not to prove you’re perfect. Mistakes and challenges are a natural and often inevitable part of an individual’s learning process. Mistakes should be viewed as steps towards improvement, not failures. Comparing yourself to others is the same whether it’s a score on an assessment or a model in a magazine: rarely will it benefit you to become a better version of yourself.

No. 10: Consider finals performance like a single puzzle piece of your bigger academic journey 

Finals may be important and influence your semester grade, but they don’t determine your intelligence, worth, or potential. Reflecting on how you’ve grown and how you can continue to grow can make finals weeks a meaningful milestone rather than a final verdict of your abilities. Tracking your own progress, such as reviewing a concept you once struggled with or a past mistake, helps with continued improvement. 

Finals week may seem unmanageable and like a roadblock to summer, but with the right mindset, tools, and support, tackling this challenge can become much simpler. Finals are a couple of weeks away and may be something you are dreading, but by starting early, staying organized, and taking care of your well-being, you are allowing yourself to unlock more of your academic potential. Remember that finals don’t define you, and take this a step at a time to help build a stronger, more successful, and confident version of yourself. You’ve got this!