By Emma Melvin
Final Exams will take place at Benicia High School from June 2-June 4 of 2026. This period of time may be stressful for many students, with big tests and final grades. So let’s go over ways you can remain organized and have a better chance to get your desired grade!
A good first start would be going through your backpack and sorting all of the loose papers by class. You can do this by purchasing a file folder, specifically the ‘Five Star 6-Pocket Expanding File.’ Most Students have 6 classes, so this leaves a slot for each class of papers.
After your notes are all sorted, go through your google classroom for each class, and review any old assignments from the semester. You may want to prioritize looking for any lesson notes, Edpuzzles or other video lessons, and summaries you wrote in the form of essays or answering questions.
Benicia High Senior: Zoie Osborne shares her tips on studying for finals. She says, “Scheduling different topics on different days helps me keep things less crammed together, as well as changing scenery from my room to parks, cafes, and the library.”
Then, make a note sheet of all the important topics you think you will forget. Make sure to separate the notes by class, to keep it less scattered. Even if you will not be able to use the notes on the test, it is still important to make notes to refresh your memory. Writing each note at least 3-5 times in a row will help you have a better memory of what you learned this semester.
U.S History/AP Psychology teacher: Mr. Rodriguez suggests “Making flashcards and having people quiz you is a great way to recall key terms. Speaking as a social science teacher, I’d say to also look for any resources that can provide a visual for these key ideas as well as more complex topics. Crash Course and Khan Academy are good sources for this.”
As far as studying and making these notes, this would be the perfect opportunity to take a trip to the Benicia Public Library to study in a quiet and calm environment. In fact, on April 30 they will be hosting a Study Cafe. There will be free snacks and coffee, with a quiet environment to study for your exams. It is marketed towards AP exams, but anyone studying for major exams are welcome to join.
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