Places to ACE your finals

Tillie Szwartz ’25 Graphics Editor

Now that the weather is getting warmer and the trees are getting greener, the end of school feels closer every day. But, before summer begins, students have one more challenge to face: finals. Although final exams can seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be this way. Studying looks different for everyone, so the key is to discover what’s right for you, and part of that means learning what location you work best in. Here are some suggestions to help you find a study space that you can leave feeling confident for finals.

Most people assume that the best place to study is somewhere quiet, but I prefer to work in an area with some background noise. If you work well in lively environments, cafés can make for great study spots. The Bala Cynwyd Starbucks has plenty of seating, some of which is almost always occupied by people working. I find that being surrounded by other people hard at work can make you feel inspired to work hard too. Another perk of studying in a Starbucks is that you can get some food and a coffee while you study, which will keep you energized and help your stamina. The Bala Cynwyd Starbucks is a particular favorite of mine because of the fireplace and large windows, but other cafés such as the Wynnewood Starbucks or Green Engine Coffee in Haverford could also be productive places to get work done.

If you are the type of person who needs a quiet space to focus, you may want to stay away from busy areas, but this doesn’t mean you have to stay in your house either. Most public libraries have silent study spaces so you can get the benefit of a change in scenery with out all of the noise. The Bala Cynwyd Library is a great choice. If you want to stay at home, try to move around within your house or room. For example, if you usually study in bed, sit at your desk or dining table. Sitting by a window is also helpful because natural light will help keep you awake and focused. If you like the idea of natural light, you could even take advantage of the spring weather by working outside. Another way to up your study game is by taking advantage of your frees or study halls. If you are a sophomore, junior, or senior, you have the benefit of being able to work almost anywhere in the building. If you like a collaborative environment, consider studying in the library. The library is a great place to study with friends, but it can get noisy at times. If you can get there at the start of the period, you may be able to secure a quieter spot in one of the single desks, but it’s not guaranteed that one will be available. If you work better in quiet spaces, the tables in the hallways of the second and third floors could be a better option. Remember, it’s important to experiment with different options to see what’s most effective for you. Change factors within your location, like working with a group or listening to music. Also be sure to manage your time and don’t let your assignments pile up. A good way that I like to keep track of due dates is through Google Calendar. Whatever you do, just keep your eye on the finish line. You can do this!

Tips for a productive summer

Once that last bell rings and school is out, the excitement is overwhelming. And while the initial wave of joy lasts for a while, it can fade away once you don’t know what to do with yourself. It can be extremely easy to get stuck in a cycle of unproductivity. The ten weeks of summer we are given is a huge chunk of time, and there is no need for it to go to waste. These are some of the things that you can do to spend your summer in the best way you can.

The first step to being productive is to have a balanced and set routine. According to Northwestern medicine, “An effective routine can help reduce stress, which can lead to better mental health, more time to relax, and less anxiety.” If you keep your sleep schedule consistent during the week with only a little fluctuation, it will already get you on track. After a long year, relaxing and taking care of yourself is the most important piece of success ful summer. Doing something beneficial for your mind each day can make a huge difference. This could include doing a 5-minute journal every morning, listening to productivity podcasts, or even something as simple as making your bed each morning. In Charles Duhigg’s book The Power of Habit, he noted that making your bed establishes a direct link to better productivity and over all health. Even a task as simple as that can jump start your day.

Another way to stay active in the summer is to be outside as much as you can. After the brutally cold winters we endure, tak ing advantage of the warm weather is a must. Going for walks, bike rides, or heading to the many parks in our township like

AP exam advice

Amy Lee ’24

Stress is at an all-time high for students at LM as they prepare for the dreaded next two weeks: AP Exam season. For those who are taking their first ever AP exams, this time may be especially worrisome. Not only do the exams test you on everything you’ve learned since Sep tember, but they’re also long, with some exams lasting over three hours.

Your anxieties and doubts are completely understandable, and many students have been in the same position as you. Some students who have gone through these exams have shared their own experiences on their feelings before, after, and in between, and hope fully they can give you reassurance as you head into your own exams.

First off is Amy Huang ’23 who took the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam, a difficult test taken within a timeslot of ninety minutes—essentially half the time of a typical AP exam. She recalls feeling nervous, since the exam took place right after her lengthy AP English Language and Composition Exam. Huang describes that, “The exam was fast-paced, but we had prepared in class with Mrs. Christman, so I knew what to expect and how to pace myself properly.” As this is a heavily math-based class, she recommends doing as many practice problems as possible and thoroughly going over each of your mistakes, rather than trying to memorize notes of long equations.

Next, Sasha Murray ’24 gave her take on the AP Chemistry exam. The AP Chemistry exam is also a notoriously difficult exam as it lasts for three hours and fifteen minutes. It also happens to be one of the first tests administered during the two-week period. She studied for the test by actively following along in class presentations, as well as taking practice tests in her own time. Taking practice tests was the most helpful for her, especially for the multiple choice section (consisting of sixty questions to be answered in ninety minutes), as those questions were very different from the tests the students had taken in the class. She also noticed that “there were not many questions about the most difficult concepts, like acids and bases,” and advises “Although you should definitely make sure you understand these concepts, don’t be too stressed out if they don’t come easily to you!”

Maggie Yin ’24 recalls that she felt “very confident” walking out of the AP Psychology exam. This is a popular AP class for many students, as they find much of the material to be relatable and directly applicable to their lives. While this exam is also three hours long, she felt that there was enough time to answer the questions. The multiple choice questions were fairly straightforward, and practicing timed FRQ’s was very help- ful with pacing. Yin admits that she “went overboard with the prep,” recounting that, “the most extraneous thing that I did was go on Quizlet, look up every unit, and go through all of those — definitely unnecessary and time consuming!” The test is mostly reliant on memorization, so having a general understanding of the terms seems to be the best mindset. She also pointed out that knowing the roles of the famous people (eg: Sigmund Freud, Jean Paiget) taught in the curriculum was beneficial.

South Ardmore or General Wayne is a fun and great way to spend your days. Additionally, practicing for fall sports on Arnold field, hanging out on the LM turf, or using the wall to better your lacrosse skills are available throughout the months as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, everyone should “aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.” When the busy school days start back up, it gets harder and harder to maintain fitness goals, so summer is a great time to center your focus.

Lastly, hobbies that you thought you would never have time for are a perfect fit for the break. Learning a new language, practicing an instrument, getting ahead on school work for next year, and SAT or ACT preparation can fill your days and mind. It’s important to have creative outlets and tasks to increase your stimulation throughout the whole year, not just the school year. There are various art classes, job opportunities, and more that are all local and in the area. There are also nearby camps such as the JCC where you could apply to be a counselor or lifeguard by attending lifeguarding classes that are offered for any age. If possible, early college programs, teen tours, and trips are an exciting way to fill your weeks as well. How ever, if you don’t spend time traveling during the summer, there are tons of zoom classes, even with college credit, available to apply for.

The summer is a valuable time that you should not take for granted. There are endless fun, engaging, and beneficial opportunities to immerse yourself in. However, don’t forget to rest and relax after the hard work you put in during school. You deserve it!

Similarly, Daniel Vossough ’24 was surprised by how at-ease he felt when taking the AP Calculus BC exam. Despite hearing from peers that the exam was on the difficult side, he remembers that “it felt much easier than I had anticipated, which definitely kept me from becoming drained.” Additionally, he found it helpful to find a rhythm when answering the questions, which gave him enough time to solve and check the questions. In terms of preparation, he found Khan Academy to be the most helpful resource outside of the classroom. While it may be hard to believe, he assures that “the test is relatively straightforward, and pretty much everything you see on the test will be something you learned in class.”

Perhaps the year of long annotation assignments had paid off, as Maya Taylor ’23 faced the feat of the AP English Language and Composition exam. According to her, this exam may be slightly harder for pacing, as students must answer multiple choice questions and write three different essays. She used an AP prep book to learn how to approach the multiple choice section, and practiced the essays using prompts from past exams. Additionally, students were able to take an in-school full-length practice exam, and have it graded by a teacher, which she claims was “really helpful to show me what I still had to work on.” Her key tip is to figure out which essay is your strongest, since “if you do end up running out of time, you want your best essay(s) to be complete.” She also added that it was very helpful to read over the graded essays from past exams online, as you could rec ognize what the graders liked and didn’t like, and use it to your advantage.

It’s more than possible to take your AP exams with confidence. Aside from having an effective study plan, it is equally important to take care of yourself in the midst of your busy life. Test-taking relies on maintaining a calm and stable mental state, as much as it does on your knowledge of the material. It is vital for all students to stay hydrated, eat nutritious meals, take breaks from work, and keep a consistent sleep schedule, whether it is AP season or not. Photo courtesy