With finals and AP exams just around the corner, the months before final testing have become even more stressful. The pressures of learning and memorizing huge amounts of new material from seven separate classes to prepare for exams can be overwhelming at times.
The long, tedious hours of studying can also contribute to stress by adding on an extra burden to the already lengthy homework assignments and current projects. However, some students have been able to effectively manage their time whilst juggling their commitments to extracurriculars, academics and other activities.
Aside from time management, students have been preparing for finals using a variety of different study methods and memorization techniques. Many have created flashcards, compiled study guides and practice tests, and have been skimming through old homeworks, quizzes and past unit tests.
Luckily, many teachers at NDB provide review guides, worksheets and other resources to help students better prepare for the content covered on the exam. Geometry teacher Mrs. Falzon supplements final review packets with practice problems that address the concepts and material taught throughout the semester. These packets can be extremely useful in that they provide students the opportunity to get more practice with a variety of problem types that may not have been covered as much in the regular homework.
Students who have recommendations or are trying to earn a recommendation for an honors class are under even more pressure to perform well on their final exams. For most classes, an A- at the minimum is required for a student to move up to the honors track class the next year. Even if a student already has an honors recommendation for the new year, the recommendation can be revoked if a student does not meet the requirements of a B or above as their final grade at the end of the school year.
Freshman Emily Weisman hopes to move up to English II Honors her sophomore year from her regular English I class and comments that finals have the potential to change a teacher’s recommendation and can heavily impact their course choices for the next year. “…My finals decide what classes that I want to take next year. I have been studying extra hard to maintain the grade I have so I can move onto English II Honors in the upcoming school year. I would like to feel more challenged and have a chance to excel in English.”
Similarly, many juniors and seniors in the midst of college decisions and preparing for the future face challenges with AP testing and finals that have the potential to impact their final scores, GPA, and even college admissions. Final exams count for 30 percent of the class’s final grade, and earning a passing grade or higher on an AP exam can typically count as college credit. For AP classes, which are graded on a five-point scale, a score of two or below does not qualify as “taking the class.” This could negatively impact a student’s GPA and transcript. Additionally, a low score on a typical final exam weighs heavily on the overall grade for that semester. Many universities can even revoke their admissions offers if a student has grades that do not meet the standard.
Although students have already been feeling the pressure of final exams and AP tests approaching, the stress is much more manageable with proper review and preparation, as well as meeting with teachers and creating better study habits. With the right plans in place and support from teachers, family, and classmates, NDB students are ready to take on finals and swing into the summer vacation.
