Dear Rocky,

Finals are coming up in less than a week, and I need help studying. I have never taken a final before and do not know what to expect. I have heard rumors that they are terribly hard and impossible to study for. How do I prepare myself well?

-Looking for advice about finals

Dear Looking for Advice for Finals,

Finals are a lot easier than you think, so do not stress. You have ample resources and a lot of time to prepare. They will be over before you know it, and then you can enjoy a stress-free Christmas break.

First, organize your materials for each class. Designate a folder or binder for each class to store materials that you will need to study. Put important packets, study guides, quizzes, tests, worksheets, and notes into your designated folders.

If you have misplaced some important items that you will need to study, ask a friend to make a copy or ask your teacher for a new copy.

Complete each class’s finals study guide, and try to have all the guides completed about one or two weeks before your actual final. Completing these guides may take a while, so working on them over a long period of time makes it less stressful.

By the time you begin reviewing for finals in each class, you should have your review guides completed. This is effective because you will know what you need to work on and can ask the teacher questions.

On the night before your final, you should only have to review everything in your designated class folder, especially the finals study guide.

As long as you manage your time effectively, stay organized, and understand the review guides, your finals should not be overwhelming or impossible.

Besides, you have already learned all the material on the final; all you really have to do is refresh your memory and review.

Meep Meep,

Rocky