Hello, Blazers! This month, The Gateway is back with another edition of Sisterly Advice, which is dedicated to helping students in our community with any issues that they might be facing. Below are the responses to questions that have been on some Blazers’ minds! 

Question 1: How can I best study for AP exams? 

In a few weeks, AP exams will be coming up, and they can surely be stressful! However, here are some tips on how to prepare for these exams. First, create a study schedule several weeks before your exam. This way, you have a plan for what you will study when, and you won’t be cramming a whole year’s worth of material into the week before your exam. Second, take advantage of your resources. AP Classroom offers daily videos to ensure that you understand each topic. Taking a practice AP exam can show you which areas you are comfortable with and which areas you need to focus more of your time on. Studying with a classmate can make the tedious process more enjoyable. And if you’re confused about a specific part of the curriculum, utilize your teachers’ office hours! They want to ensure that you do your best on this exam and would be more than happy to spend time with you until you understand the material like the back of your hand. Finally, know how you best remember material. If it’s by active recall, get a blank sheet of paper and brain dump everything you know. If it’s by teaching others, grab a friend, parent, or sibling, and give them a crash course on everything you’ve learned! Remember, it’s okay to be anxious about these 3-hour exams, but with enough preparation and confidence in yourself, you’re bound to crush them! 

Question 2: How can I stay motivated when I’m getting dumped with so much schoolwork? 

I’m glad you asked this question, because our very own Julia Doran has written her own article on how to tackle this problem that affects all of us at least once in our lives! Check it out to find the answer to your question! 

Question 3: How can I make the most of the rest of the school year? 

It’s so crazy to believe that this school year is coming to an end! In order to make the most of these last few months, I advise making time for yourself whenever possible. I understand that this may feel impossible at times: with schoolwork, AP exams, spring sports, adjudication, the UL spring musical, and other extracurriculars, it can feel like you’re never getting a chance to breathe. However, you don’t want to get burnout close to the end of the year! Whether it be eating lunch outside (now that the weather is finally getting warmer!), hanging out with your friends for a little bit during a free period instead of working on homework, or listening to your favorite song, these tiny moments can truly make or break your days! I also suggest taking time to reflect on how much you’ve grown this past school year, whether it be academically, socially, or emotionally. This will show you just how far you’ve come and inspire you to keep challenging yourself, no matter how hard it may be!  

I hope you found my advice to be helpful as all of us begin to tackle the final quarter of the school year! The Gateway is always available to answer any other questions that you may have. Good luck, Blazers!