Finals can be a scary time for everyone, especially for the students who’ve never experienced them before, Freshmen. With final’s week coming up soon, it’s important for newcomers to the school to get the inside scoop on what finals are all about, and who better to ask than Westside students themselves.

When asked what he did outside of studying to help get ready for finals, Junior Andrew Esola said that “I usually prepare myself [before a test] by listening to calming music and [telling] myself…that it’s going to be okay.” When asked for advice about taking the finals themselves, Esola also said that he “…[tries] not to rush.” And says that “[More people should] not be afraid to be the last one to turn [the test] in.”

Junior Reagan Schafer has a different way of preparing herself than Andrew. Schafer said that she “Gets [more] sleep which tends to help,” and also says that “[Exercises], like running and yoga, help [with her stress].” Schafer says that she thinks it’s important to “…study [up to] two weeks in advance, not just the night before, and get lots of sleep before finals start.”

Math teacher Angela Mosier also had insight to give to Freshmen before they take their finals. Mosier advises that students “Don’t take them all on the same day…and distribute [their] finals that are harder out more so [that they] have more time to study.” Mosier says that students should “Look at what they’ve struggled with in the semester and target those areas [when trying to review.]”

When asked for what she did personally to help herself get through finals, Mosier said that “I crammed. (laughs) I think some [of finals] is just building confidence…if you don’t get a problem right away, come back to it. Sometimes it’s just about taking a deep breath and going for it.”