Second Semester Finals are just around the corner. Final Exams week is the week all 9th through 12th graders, except honor graduate seniors, will take their Final Exams. Here’s a breakdown of what Mill Creek Hawk’s schedule will look like starting May 16th all the way to the last day of school on the 22nd and what students can do to prepare for testing.

Finals will begin on May 16th all the way to May 22nd. Early release will be on May 20th to the 22nd. On May 16th, graduating seniors will be given two days to finish their first and sixth period final exams while everyone else will follow their regular schedule which will have a different ending time. On May 17th, testing seniors will continue to finish their first and sixth period finals while everyone else will go about their regular schedules. On May 20th, all students will take their fourth and second period exams. On May 21st, all students will take their fifth and third period final exams. On the last day of school, only 9th-11th graders will be taking their sixth and first period final exams and seniors must participate in graduation practice at 8:30 a.m.

While it’s important for students to know what their schedule will be like for the last three days of school, it’s also crucial to know how to prepare for their finals. Not everyone can learn information the same way. Some students do better while following along with the class while other’s need one on one with their teacher. With the right approach, anyone can prepare effectively. Some tips to use to set yourself up for success:

1. Start studying now. Do not wait until the last minute to study over a semester’s worth of material. The sooner you start reviewing days in advance, the more time your brain will have to retain it all.
2. Create a schedule. Take time out of your regular schedule for reviewing over bits and pieces of your material. Plan specific times to review and study each section.
3. Do what works for you. Some students can learn by just simply reading over their notes, but there are more active techniques than that. Find a technique that works for you. Other examples are flashcards, rewriting it all down, or another student letting letting you reteach the material.
4. Don’t overwork yourself. Even though this time of the year is one of the most stressful, do not forget to take care of yourself and your mental health. Maintain a positive attitude and believe in yourself.
5. Ask for help. Teacher’s are more than happy when students reach out when in need of help. That’s what they are here for, to help you learn and succeed through high school. Don’t be scared to reach out when you need to.

Even though these final days of school will be hard, do not forget to be kind to yourself. Finish this semester strong by studying and preparing for your finals in advance.