Julia Griffin ’28
With the arrival of the winter season also comes the beginning of exam preparation for semester classes. Many students are balancing the start of winter sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities, making time management more important than ever. Both teachers and students alike emphasize the need for timely preparation and utilizing the available resources. EA students have the support of learning specialists, form deans, and teachers, who offer strategies to manage both coursework and seasonal commitments.
Photo courtesy of Alice in Wonderland
Planning and time management are key themes students can focus on when preparing for exams. Leigh Martin, Upper School Learning Specialist, emphasizes that dedicated time spent towards studying each day can improve results and prevent unnecessary stress. She states, “The most important [thing] is making sure that you’re blocking out time daily, ideally two weeks before.”
Tanuja Murray, IV Form Dean, stresses the importance of sleep and pacing. “The number one thing is to get appropriate sleep. You need your brain to be functioning at a high level… It’s better to study for 40 minutes a day in each subject than cram everything the night before,” she explains.
Ksenya Wong ’28 agrees, saying, “My advice to students taking semester exams for the first time is to start studying in advance instead of waiting for the week of the exam. It helps you to prepare for your exams while still focusing on your other classes, and it reduces the pressure on you right before the exam.”
Addressing material effectively and proactively is also vital when reviewing. Teachers explain how active engagement and class-specific study methods can make a significant difference in semester exams. Christy Rheam, Upper School Physics teacher, encourages students to review previous tests with teachers. “In Physics especially, when you spend your time going through tests and practicing problems that were incorrect…it’s incredibly helpful,” she explains.
Michael Sheehan, Religion Department Chair, has a structured three-step approach to effective studying: gather materials, prioritize key concepts, and actively engage with the content. “Strong students are organized, prepared, and able to prioritize information that matters most,” he explains. This year, the religion department introduced a new assessment format, designed to give students more choice and creative freedom. Instead of traditional exams, students select one of three “tracks,” each one built around a central, high-impact question that is demonstrated through a final project of the students’ choice. The tracks explore themes such as The Living Earth, The Path to Compassion, or Defining the Self, all including concepts that are discussed throughout the semester. Sheehan expresses that this approach allows students to deeply immerse themselves in the material while using their critical thinking skills to establish connections between ideas across the curriculum. “We have each created something that gives students agency, a lot of autonomy, and a lot of choice,” he says.
Students also share their best studying methods they have discovered over time. Cai Parker ’27 reflects on her own study method: “My most effective study method is writing down key information from each section of my subject. It helps me identify what I remembered and what I needed to review, so I could fill in the gaps during my study time.”
Teachers also highlight the importance of rest in addition to planning and active review. Both Martin and Murray emphasize the importance of sleep, nutrition, and stress-management techniques. “There’s no substitute for good sleep…breathing and breath work can also help manage stress,” Martin says. She also advises against overstudying material students already know, noting that it can give a false sense of preparedness. Murray’s views are parallel, saying, “Get appropriate sleep, don’t cram, and use your free and flex blocks to meet with teachers…Being attentive in class and asking questions is really helpful.”
By staying organized and engaged during school hours, students can reduce the need for last-minute review and feel more confident heading into exams. The encouragement and availability of teachers in the Upper school allows students to find confidence in their growing study habits and continue self-advocacy amongst underclassmen. Luke Wright ’29 says, “These are my first semester exams at EA, so I’m feeling a little nervous, especially since I’m taking physics. I want to make sure I’m prepared, understand the material well, and manage my time so I can do my best.”
Overall, especially as semester exams approach, taking the time to thoughtfully plan out a study schedule can make managing stress and other commitments more feasible. The strategies shared by both teachers and students highlight the community’s dedication to supporting one another, providing the resources to not only strengthen academic skills but also develop proactive habits that will serve students beyond the classroom.
