As the school year winds down and the senior class prepares to graduate, the overall stress levels at Maggie Walker soar through the roof. Why, you ask? Well, it could only be one thing: the four straight weeks of exams ahead of us. Exam season at Maggie Walker is a tumultuous endeavor. We start with AP exams, then go straight to finals, and from there, a week of SOLs and makeup exams. Maggie Walker students already have a tendency to get very little sleep, and the sheer demand from studying for exams only makes this worse. Exhaustion is eminent and it can be difficult to remain focused during these challenging weeks. But, luckily for you, I have five helpful tips that might help you maintain some semblance of sanity during this year's exam season.

Tip 1 - Take care of yourself! 

This is not the time to forget about your basic needs! If you don't have one already, get a comfort water bottle. One you'll take everywhere–including the exam room. Staying hydrated keeps you functioning through these trying times. Along with drinking plenty of water, make sure you're eating well-rounded, delicious meals. Fueling your body fuels your mind, allowing you to show up and show out come exam time. Also, get a sweet treat every once in a while! You deserve it, what with all of the hard work going into your testing. Lastly–and most importantly–try your very best to get as much sleep as you can. It can be very, very difficult right now, but maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is one of the best ways to ensure that you are not a zombie come test day. So, try your very best to get eight hours of sleep every night. I know how difficult it can be though, so if you have days where you can't get eight hours, then schedule off a short little nap! 

Tip 2 - Block out time for studying!

The average Maggie Walker student has a very busy life. School, sports, clubs, work, and more, it can be difficult to find time for simply studying. But, even blocking out twenty minutes for studying before school each morning can be beneficial in allowing you the chance to prepare for all of the exams coming your way. As the old adage goes: a little goes a long way.

Tip 3 - PUT THE PHONE AWAY, BABE!

How many hours a day do you spend on your phone? Well, it's time to replace a few of those hours with studying, if only for the next few weeks. When you sit down to study, having your phone out and near you can be one of the most crucial aspects as to why you are not actually getting any studying done. Instead, put your phone far out of your reach. Whether it be face down on the desk, across the room, or even across the house, having your phone in an area where you are not inclined to constantly be looking at it can prevent the black hole of doom scrolling from sucking you in. 

Tip 4 - Find the study methods that work best for you!

There are so many different ways to study, and finding what works best for you can help streamline your studying so that you can be at your most productive. Some methods include things such as active recall, rewriting notes, teaching younger siblings, creating quizlets, and more! Simply taking ten minutes to research studying methods and subsequently finding what works best for you can greatly improve the quality of your studying–and save you time, too!

Tip 5 - Ask for help! Use your community!

This can be a difficult one for many, but simply asking for help can go a long way when it comes to studying. Whether it be someone who has previously taken the class or your tablemate, working with someone who knows the material can greatly help, especially when you are confused or want to talk out different aspects of the curriculum.

The school year is almost over and exams are the last great obstacle to the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, with these tips in mind, you'll find preparation and survival to be a bit easier. Good luck with your tests, you're going to do great!