HIGH LIFE : A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Surviving the Biggest Nightmare Yet: Finals

There are classes to prepare you for college entrance exams, but where do you turn for ideas to help you get ready for your upcoming final exams?

Hot Topics asks: “What’s the best tip you can give somebody who’s preparing to take a final exam?”

“When preparing to take a final exam, begin studying the night they tell you about it. Study a little each night, then put it aside for a day or two. Review it the night before and you should do well.”

Jennifer Pulfer, 18, senior, Bethel Baptist

“It helps to tape yourself reading certain important parts of the test chapter. Listen continually to the tape until the last possible minute before the test. You might pass because you’ve remembered some things subconsciously.”

Kristin Holm, 16, junior, Bethel Baptist

“Review notes and assignments but don’t cram all night or you’ll fall asleep during the test, and don’t stress out. . . . It’s only a test.”

Kristy Roberts, 17, senior, Capistrano Valley

“Make a token attempt to read your notes and then go to bed.”

Jill Taylor, 16, junior, Capistrano Valley

“Put the book under your bed and absorb the knowledge by osmosis.”

Lydia Billard, 17, junior, Capistrano Valley

“Cram like you do for all the other tests. Look over the notes or read the last parts of chapters. Put all the information in short-term memory and recall it the next day and then forget about it, since you probably won’t need it in life.”

Todd Price, 17, junior, Capistrano Valley

“Just go over chapter tests and reviews.”

Veronica Brissano, 16, sophomore, Capistrano Valley

“Start studying early and do a little each day. Then write out questions to ask yourself, and study them. Get plenty of rest.”

Liz Coyle, 15, freshman, Esperanza

“Study or don’t show.”

Mona Abdel-Baset, 17, senior, Esperanza

“Take a deep breath before the exams start. In fact, take two or three.”

Angela Consiglio, 16, junior, Esperanza

“Relax, don’t freak out, and remember to use the process of elimination.”

Dai Do, 17, junior, Esperanza

“Start studying two weeks ahead of time.”

Jennifer Doolittle, 18, senior, Fullerton

“Study the stuff you learned at the beginning more than the most recent material.”

Barry Melchor, 18, senior, Fullerton

“Pray heavily after studying.”

Nathan Eakins, 15, freshman, Heritage

“Study, study and study.”

Dena Fargo, 15, freshman, Heritage

“Don’t procrastinate.”

Angie Bosch, 15, sophomore, Heritage

“Think clearly.”

David Berryman, 15, sophomore, Heritage

“Do not cheat; study hard.”

Christi Poehlman, 17, junior, Irvine

“Go with your gut feeling. Don’t change your answers. You’ll regret it.”

Lisa Holmes, 17, senior, Irvine

“Pray for divine guidance.”

Brian Monetelet, 16, freshman, Irvine

“Bring a sharp pencil and an eraser.”

Beverly Frankiewicz, 17, junior, Marina

“Don’t study in the morning.”

Alvina Leung, 16, sophomore, Marina

“Go to bed early.”

Karen Moore, 18, senior, Marina

“Don’t worry about it because then you will feel stressed and do badly.”

Tom Griffen, 17, junior, Marina

“Make sure that before getting ready for a final, you find out your grades first. Whichever class you have your lowest grade in, spend more time studying (for its final). Finals have a tendency to hurt lower grades, so make sure you leave two to three weeks of preparation time, and study in a calm, quiet atmosphere.”

Kelly Zeich, 16, sophomore, Mission Viejo

“Start studying early and don’t cram a day before. Get a lot of sleep and a lot of protein because it’s brain food.”

Dylan Miloch, 15, sophomore, Mission Viejo

“Start studying two to three weeks before and don’t cram the night before, just review then and make sure you eat breakfast the morning of the exam.”

Mike Colburn, 16, sophomore, Mission Viejo

“Don’t worry. Study beforehand and be prepared.”

Eric Thrane, 16, sophomore, Mission Viejo

“Nothing. If you don’t learn anything in a year, how do you expect to learn it all in one week?”

Vanessa Punsalang, 15, sophomore, Mission Viejo

“Relax.”

Carrie Johnson, 16, junior, San Clemente

“Do not stay up and cram.”

Jeannie Shin, 17, junior, San Clemente

“Do not procrastinate, because if you just cram the night before you won’t remember as much.”

Dustin Reilich, 17, senior, San Clemente

“Sleep well, eat well, study--and don’t eat sugar.”

Brian Brower, 18, senior, San Clemente

“Ditch class.”

Geri Hess, 16, sophomore, Southern California Christian

“Study hard, go to bed early, eat a good breakfast and you’ll be fine.”

Stephanie Hallmark, 17, sophomore, Southern California Christian

“Study all week but not the day before the test. Keep a cool head and organize your thoughts. Don’t have an exciting night before the test or you’ll think of the night before and forget what you studied.”

Andy Kim, 18, senior, Southern California Christian

“Don’t stress out; take it easy.”

Addy Davis, 18, senior, Valencia

“Study hard.”

Huey Dang, 14, freshman, Valencia

“Pray.”

Tammy Le, 15, freshman, Valencia

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What do you expect to receive as a graduation present?

Hot Topic responses were gathered by Angela Conner, John Doney, Melanie Fowler, Jenny Kaplan, Stacy Kinsey, Cutie Lee, Jason Loeb, Cindy Shaver, Adrian Silva, Janet Stouder and Jana Swail.