Seniors, all your hard work is about to pay off. In the blink of an eye, you’ll wear the cap of intelligence and the robe of freedom. In front of everyone you know, you’ll receive the reward you’ve been fighting to acquire for the past four years: your high school diploma. With this, new doors will be unlocked. You’ll be empowered and emboldened; nothing can stand in your way! However, in order for this to become a reality, you must break through a final barrier: finals. Terrifying, I know. But as a senior, it’s your responsibility to pass them. This may be difficult, however, with all the prep for graduation, the desire to hang out with friends, and the stress studying can induce. But don’t fret! There are several methods you can use to conquer this beast while still enjoying your last month of high school.
Organize, organize, organize
In order to balance your academic life, social life, and any other lives you may be living, it’s vital to lay out how much time you wish to give to each. However, make sure it’s evenly balanced. You don’t want to spend 12 hours socializing with friends to only leave yourself 15 minutes to study for a final exam the next day. Try to create a time table. Allocate time for when you’ll sleep, work, study, and relax. While doing this, make sure you’re being honest with yourself. If you know you need to study for math the most, don’t say you’ll study for 10 minutes.
Make a to-do list
If you have a lot of things on your plate during the last month of school, a to-do list is your best friend. Take a few minutes to write down all your obligations. This can range from purchasing a cap and gown to reviewing a certain set of notes. After that, prioritize them. Activities that need to be done right this minute should be at the top of your list.
Kick senioritis to the curb
Senioritis is a condition many seniors contract during their last few months of high school. Symptoms include skipping class, not completing your homework, and not taking the time to properly prepare for your final exams! Succumbing to it can lead to a college withdrawing your admission, losing scholarships, and even not graduating high school. Unfortunately, there’s no magic spell for curing senioritis. As my counselor says, “You’ve just got to wake up!” What she means is no matter how comfy your bed may be, you need to go to class. However, going to class is only the half of it. You still need to make an effort at studying, turning assignments in, and more. Try keeping your goals in mind; this should make you more inclined to stay on track. You can also try getting someone you trust to keep you in check, like a friend, parent, or even a school official (if they’re okay with it). Do whatever you can to keep your motivation up for school and final exams!
Related: 10 Things Every Second-Semester Senior Knows to Be True
And that’s a wrap
Remember, once you pass your finals, you’re completely done with high school. By balancing your life and getting rid of slack-inducing thoughts, you’ll be able to experience all the joys a high school diploma gives!
Find more advice on how to survive finals in our Majors and Academics section.
