by Liz Mantush ’25

With finals week just around the corner, many students may be stressing over how to prepare themselves. For many Wyoming Seminary students, especially underclassmen, this is their first real experience with cumulative finals, and the stress that they may experience is real.

Finals week will consist of at most two-three finals a day, with extended bells meant for term-cumulative exams.  The exam slots will be equivalent to a long bell, giving each student enough time to complete their tests. Teachers do their best to prepare students for their tests, however the unaccounted for emotional toll it takes on students is sometimes harder than the test.

For one, taking time for yourself is the best way to ease the stress. Watching comforting movies, playing your favorite music, and spending time with people who lift you up are ways to distract yourself from any anxieties you may have. There are many quiet spaces available on campus like the Wellness Center, SLRC, and the library, where students can study, nap, and relax before and after their exams.

Our school counselor Breanne Finagen would like to remind students of some ways to prevent burnout during finals season. She states that the best way to keep yourself above water is, “Focusing on caring for yourself and realizing it’s not the end of the world.” She suggests visiting the Wellness Center when feeling stressed as well as getting a good night’s sleep, warning that “You’re not going to be able to retain the information when you’re pulling an all-nighter.”

However, when it comes time to study, SEM’s learning support official, Kristen Coffay suggests “knowing your exam schedules and creating a study plan” in order to optimize your study time. Structure in the time leading up to your exam and keeping yourself on track are going to help prepare you to your fullest ability.

Conferencing with your teachers, seeking help in the many academic support we have, including the Math, Writing, and Language Centers when needed, and maybe even a peer tutor are all great ways to get in the right direction for your tests. Exams can be daunting, but it’s important to get help where you need it, so you can end the term on a good note. Many students struggle to ask for help, but being direct with your teachers is the best way to excel in your courses. Here is a link to the school’s learning support resources.