As Thanksgiving break grows closer and closer, the students at BV West will start to prioritize and dread one thing: finals. First semester finals this year will begin on Dec. 18 and conclude on Dec. 20. While this may seem like a ways away, finals week will come quicker than expected. To help minimize cramming and overall stress, here are some tips for preparing for finals.

Stay organized. By this point in the year, most classes are at least a couple of units into their curriculum. Therefore, there is a lot of information needed to be retained for each exam. One way of combating this difficulty is by keeping an organized system. Whether it be a folder or binder, having some way to keep track of past assignments and tests is beneficial. Storing all of one’s papers in a neat manner allows for efficient and effective study sessions. Without a system, it is easy to lose valuable study time just looking for papers. It is never too early to start organizing, so create a method as soon as possible.

It never hurts to review. Although there will be new lessons between now and finals, there is still a lot of information thus far into the semester. It can be easy to remember the most recent unit on a final, but trying to recall something from early September can be difficult. Taking time every week, even if it is minimal, to start to review previous material, as it helps in the long run by continually refreshing one’s brain.

Study groups can be counterproductive. When forming groups, it is important to remember the sole reason behind the collaboration: to study. If a study group is composed primarily of really close friends, there is often little-to-no studying that comes out of it. Personally knowing what needs to be studied should take priority and study groups should act as an auxiliary study tool.

JAG is a valuable resource. Having 60 minutes every day where students can ask for help from teachers creates many opportunities for academic growth. If information from an earlier unit is not fully understood, seeking out help is truly beneficial for the semester final. Rather than focusing on what is understood and completely ignoring the unknown, target the topics that are a little more uncertain to further guarantee success.

Do not procrastinate. When it comes to decision making, like choosing whether or not to study, there is a difference between the choice of a person today and that same person in the future. According to writer David McRaney from You Are Not So Smart, “The trick is to accept the now you will not be the person facing those choices, it will be the future you – a person who can’t be trusted. Future-you will give in, and then you’ll go back to being now-you and feel weak and ashamed. Now-you must trick future-you into doing what is right for both parties.”

Sleep is everyone’s ally. According to www.nationwidechildrens.org, “[teenagers] need between 9 and 9.5 hours of sleep.” Being well-rested is advantageous to one’s final grade. Cramming for a final the night before only adds unnecessary stress and will most likely result in fatigue for the actual test. To avoid this, during the week before and week of finals, set a designated time when all work and review material needs to be put away and sleep is of upmost importance.

Likewise, avoid coffee or energy drinks before sleep. With Starbuck’s recent annual release of their holiday Peppermint Mocha and Chestnut Praline Lattes, there is easy temptation to use this as fuel for studying for finals. While this itself is not all that bad, the time that caffeine is digested is crucial. Drinking a coffee in the early afternoon as a pick-me-up is perfectly fine, but using caffeine as a replacement for sleep only prolongs the inevitable. There is no substitute for sleep.

Despite the time between now and finals, there are things that can be done to promote and ensure future success. So in the meantime, get organized, enjoy some coffee, start to review and enjoy Thanksgiving break because finals will be here sooner than expected.