Now that break is over and everyone is back at school, there’s one thing all Cal High students are preparing for: the dreaded finals week.

Both studying for and actually taking finals can be extremely stressful, but don’t worry too much. Here are some tips to make this coming week a little bit easier.

Make sure to take time out to study, instead of waiting until the night before.  That way, if the material is not fully understood, there is still time to ask for help.

“Have a regular study plan,” said Cal math teacher Gary Triebwasser. “Study for half an hour every day…instead of cramming the night before the final.”

No one likes to study over weekends but studying early can raise the chances of scoring higher on finals.

In addition, there are many strategies that students can use to make studying less of a hassle.

“Listen to music and portion out the material you have to study for different nights,” said junior Jeffrey Croker.

Music can be very helpful while studying because it can provide a more relaxing atmosphere, as long as it is not too loud or distracting.

Also, by studying different subjects on different nights, the whole studying process will also be less stressful and not as overwhelming. Studying everything in one night usually results in a lower score on the final, which can increase the risk of overall grades dropping as well.

Flash cards are also a great way to study for all classes.  In order to test vocab or concept knowledge, write the word or theory on one side and the definition on the other side.

“Make flashcards and study them over a period of time like one to two weeks,” sophomore Ryan Feldman.

For a class such as math, write down all the rules for different sections with example problems and answers to the problems on the back.  Solving the problems on a separate piece of paper afterwards is a good way to test comprehension of the material.

While studying, make sure to take breaks, as studying for too long in one sitting will make things harder to remember and may overwhelm the brain.

According to coedu.usf.edu, it is helpful to study small portions of material, take a break, and then study some more. Students will have an easier time focusing on the material.

“Study for 30 minute sessions and take a 10 minute break between each,” said senior Chris Fahrney.

Sophomore Rylee Akins offers other helpful tips.

“Turn off anything distracting, and eat healthy snacks,” said Akins.

Some healthy snack choices include carrots, celery with ranch,  and crackers with cheese. Drinking tea with a snack can also help students relax while studying.

Turn off any laptops, TV programs, and cell phones, while also logging off any social networking websites.  Constantly texting and checking social sites draws attention away from studying.

Make a plan and stick to it, try to stay focused, and take breaks regularly, so studying will not be as overwhelming. Work hard and it will all be worth it.