Students prepare for finals

If the school year was a football team, finals would be the left tackle: big, threatening, and downright terrifying. Semester tests are like the last stand students will make before continuing on to their winter break, and eventually, spring semester. While exemptions are available, most students will be taking their finals throughout the rest of this week; needless to say, extensive preparation and studying has taken over the student body of DHS.

“Finals can be really tough,” senior James Pompa said. “I’ve found that reading over my reviews and notes helps me study.”

Studying is not an easy habit to develop, which is something the students are learning while preparing for their tests.

“I have a bad habit of studying for a test right before the class starts,” junior Destiny Yanez said. “This year I’m trying to study more to be better prepared.”

Hitting the books is a great way to get started. However, there are some other things students can do to get focused.

“When I can’t concentrate and I know I need to study, I listen to music,” senior Paula Salmeron said. “It gives me a little break from my work but helps me focus too.”

Others say that snacking helps with the burden of studying.

“Since I’m a senior this year, I get to exempt both semesters so thankfully don’t have to take my finals this week,” senior Travis Woods said. “When I did have to study for my tests, I always took a break for a quick snack to clear my head.”

Tackling finals isn’t an easy thing to do, but the break between them and next semester is definitely a motivator for some students.

“The one thing getting me through this week is the break,” sophomore Kayla Martinez said. “It makes it easier to take my finals.”

Turning in the last test is a relief; by now, students have done their best and given it their all. No matter how they choose to study or what motivates them to get through finals week, the important thing is that they did. It’s not easy to face down that beast, but once done, students are free to do as they please before the courses start back up in the spring.

“It’s going to feel great to get all my exams over with,” junior Cole Yanta said. “I’m going to be relieved and so ready for Christmas break.”