When it comes to finals, students can never start preparing too early. A cumulative test of your knowledge sounds incredibly daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Most teachers are willing to help students get the grade they work for. They should communicate with their educators about how they can improve. Most will appreciate the effort the student is showing by asking to do extra credit or extra study materials for the exam.
But, that doesn’t mean going in at the last minute and asking for a better grade. If a student hasn’t put in the effort up to this point, their teacher can’t help them.
“All I can do is wish them good luck unless they have a time machine,” environmental science teacher Brady Bieri said.
Teachers want their students to succeed. This time of year, with finals right around the corner, you may want to consider your options. Some classes have exemptions or alternative projects available in place of a test.
“My very first year of teaching we had a rule that as long as you passed a class you could be exempt. I only had one person come in to take the test so instead of making a whole test for one person we had a conversation to see if she learned anything that year,” said Bieri.
If you are not eligible to be exempt from the test, it is a good idea to be proactive and begin the preparation now. There are plenty of online resources that are designed for students including Quizlet, Khan Academy and Sparknotes.
