Winter break is almost here, but first comes finals week. 

Finals are worth 10% of students’ final grade, so if they fail, their grade can go down a whole letter. 

And with that, students worry. 

“Sometimes I pull all-nighters, while I chug Red Bulls and study for my tests,” junior Eisley Rohr said. “I have Pre-AP Chem and AP Lang, so I’m really trying to do well, but I wouldn’t recommend others to do what I do unless they’re desperate.”

While this is one way to study for finals, staying up all night and drinking energy drinks isn’t the healthiest. It overloads your body with stimulants and sugar. 

Many students say the pressure to keep their grades up pushes them to extremes, especially in advanced classes.

The Derby Public Library is a free space and provides a nice, quiet area where students can study peacefully. It’s become a common spot for students who need a calmer environment or who have trouble focusing at home. 

“Sometimes I go to the library and study there for an hour or two,” Rohr said. “That’s what I usually do if I don’t have work or school activities.” 

Another method students use to prepare is forming small study groups. Meeting with classmates allows them to quiz each other, compare notes and explain difficult concepts. 

However, not everyone can get to the library by themselves or can pull all-nighters. Schedules get crowded with sports, clubs and jobs, leaving many students searching for quick, effective ways to prepare. 

“I make flash cards and force my little sisters to help me study,” junior Kylynn Oetting said. “I’m busy with sports and band so I’m not able to study everyday.”

Flash cards are a very effective way to study because they push the brain into active recall, helping students practice retrieving information without cues. Teachers commonly recommend this strategy for memorization.

“I definitely am really scared for my finals because I’m in so many AP classes. I just want to maintain my 4.0 GPA,” Oetting said.