They come twice a year, require hours upon hours of studying, and count twenty-percent towards your semester grade. What are they? Exams. The word alone has the power to send students into a frenzy.

Every year students experiment with new strategies, which many said included crying and procrastinating. While other master their methods to score high and others stick to certain “good luck charms” such as a certain pen or pencil brand or a “sacred rituals” to help them mentally.

Allison Chandler, a history teacher,  told me that students who learn the overall story in history will do better than students who memorize the facts, “Memorizing is overwhelming”

However, the learning must take place throughout the year. Students who expect to learn a semester’s worth of information the week before exams are in for a world of hurt come exam day.

Jaxon Crosby (‘19) , a newcomer to Bolles, insists on having Starbucks before an exam, “ever since middle school I crave Starbucks”. Crosby said that exams definitely put him under pressure since they count towards his GPA but at the same time “knows I’m well prepared by my amazing teachers!” Jaxon plans on using quizlet and reviewing notes to prepare for the exams.

Marla Saikali (‘19) is about to take her first exam as a Bolles high schooler. Although she has two years of experience with our middle school exams there is newfound stress since she is in high school. She begins by “organizing all of my notes, tests, and binders, in chronological order”,  then proceeds to make quizlets on her weaker sections.

Getting sleep and a good breakfast is what counts most to ] Megan James (‘18). She makes a study guide for each class and reads and rereads her notes. “Exams are a lot harder and longer at Bolles and count more than exams at Bartram Trail”. James said that there is definitely added pressure due to how much it counts towards your semester grade and overall GPA.

Leah Scott (‘17) is “definitely studying harder” due to the fact that she’s a junior and beginning to look at colleges. Scott re-reads the chapters that will be covered in the exam “it helps me remember the information better” Scott said.
Although exams are stressful we will get through them! Use these tips and tricks to power through your exams.