How to Survive Finals Week... in Grade School
A Guide to Helping Young Students Overcome the Burden of Final Exams
Dec 11, 2008
Similar to students at the college level, many grade school students also find a great deal of difficulty coping with final exams. Though they share the frustrations of being excessively tested, students still in high school and middle school have a few a factors that make the challenge of finals week just a bit more interesting.
Parental Support During Finals
One of the biggest differences, and arguably assets, is the fact that grade school students still have their parents around to supervise their study habits. As an ally, parents can be a huge part of the finals preparation process by quizzing their children, asking them to teach them a quick lesson on the subject, or asking students to demonstrate their level of understanding in non-traditional methods such as art. Any of these approaches will help the student solidify the ideas they memorized from a textbook or class notes.
Asking Teachers for Help
Another colossal difference between grade school and college finals, is the relationships between the teachers and students. In many universities across the nation, college students feel like just another face in the crowd when it comes to asking their instructor for help. In grade school however, the sole purpose of the teachers existence is to ensure and promote student success! Even if the greatest underachieving student approached a teacher or advisor for help with finals prep, any teacher would go out of there way to provide at least some guidance.
A Different Approach to Studying for Finals
Going through the textbooks, worksheets, and class notes is a suitable approach for some students, but for most, a good refresher is needed to truly lock the information down. Using notes and worksheets, or a finals study guide if applicable, students can use the internet to find different approaches to learning the same material. If a teaching style doesn’t work for one student, like it may for others, there are a million other teachers who have taught the same material in a million different ways. Searching for lesson plans and activities in a particular subject area can be both an effective and dynamic way of preparing for finals!
Making a Study Schedule
Because time management at the grade school level tends to be controlled by outside sources like parents and siblings, ensure that time is being made to prepare for finals. Success during finals week is all about preparing early, not the night before. Perhaps creating a schedule for the week before finals, listing everything that needs to be done including sports, chores, and homework, will help visualize when and where study time can be plugged in.
Nutrition and Exercise During Finals
Just like college students, nutrition and well-being are critical components of a successful finals week at the grade school level. Eating right and remaining emotionally balanced are just as important as cramming away textbook definitions. Adding short breaks in your study schedule for a healthy snack, a quick walk outside, or even a brief stretch, will all help your brain stay awake and focussed. Like anything in life, balance is essential, so studying for 20 hours a day with no breaks, isn’t going to lead anywhere promising. Taking care of one’s body is the best way to ensure a fully working brain!
Finals week for many grade school students is a time of excessive stress and academic pressure. By utilizing the many resources that are available to this student population like parents, online learning, teacher support, and schedule planning, any student can create a positive finals week experience! Learning how to adjust students' lives to the rigors of final exams early will also allow for an easier transition into the grueling demands of college academics.
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