By: Becky W

It’s that time of year again!

It is time for students get down to the business of preparing for culminatings, independent studies and exams in hopes of attaining the best grades possible for semester one. Teachers stress to us, over and over again, the importance of exams and every semester we plan to study as much as possible, but do our results end successfully?

For the grade nines, it is all so new and so scary. Study groups are set up; prefect meetings provide the panic-stricken study guides on how to survive the torturous week-and-a-half.        
 

Grade tens who have gone through the process twice before have a better understanding of what to expect. Naturally, students think about their hardest subjects and focus more on those. Grade ten student, Cole Gardner, emphasizes the fact that he will study more this year than last year. “This semester I have Religion, Science and History. I am slightly nervous and will study way more this semester than last.”
    

Grade twelve’s are also approaching the exams with great uncertainty. University applications have already been sent in, and the final exams of first semester can determine if a student will get early acceptance to University. 

Bob Purnell, one of STA’s super seniors, is also a little worried about this semester’s exams. Bob stated that “this is [his] last semester at STA, and [he] wants to make it count.” He says “I only have two exams this semester, and one of them isn’t that hard. I do have Chemistry and I want to get a good grade in it, so I’ll probably study for that more.”         
      

Although some students are apprehensive about exam periods, others are carefree about the upcoming week. A student in grade eleven, who wished to remain nameless, shared that she never studies for any of her exams. She says “My grades have always been relatively good, and I usually don’t do that badly on exams. I have a good memory so exams aren’t that hard for me.” 

Don’t we all wish we were that lucky!
       

For the students that were not born so gifted, there are a few tips to remember when diving into exams.

Everybody has different study habits, but it is important to remember to give yourself plenty of time to study.  Look at your exam review ten minutes a day for a week, the information will be more likely to remain in your brain.

It is also imperative to make your own notes. When it is in your own words, it will make it easier to remember.

Study in a quiet place, such as a library, where you can concentrate.

When you wake up on the morning of an exam,  review your notes. Try not to cram all of your studying the night before or the morning of the exam; it will only make you more stressed.

Eat a healthy breakfast –orange juice helps retain information.

When you receive your exam, take a deep breath, and read every question carefully. Take each question one at a time, but watch your time limit.
   

At first, exams seem terrifying and impossible, but when approached properly they really aren’t that bad. It is best to try your hardest now; you’ll be done before you know it.

Good luck STA students!