As the school year draws to a close, students are entering one of the most challenging
periods of the academic calendar: final exams and AP testing. With multiple deadlines,
Heavy content review and growing pressure, many students struggle to keep up with their
academic workload while trying to maintain their health and well-being.
Experts and educators agree that planning is key to success. Instead of relying on
late-night cram sessions, students are encouraged to adopt spaced repetition–reviewing
material in small chunks over several days or even weeks. This method has been shown
to improve long-term retention and reduce anxiety.
Health professionals also emphasize the importance of balancing academics with
personal wellness. According to a 2023 study by the American Academy of Sleep
Medicine, teenagers who get 7-8 hours of sleep per night perform better on standardized
tests than those who sleep less. In addition, regular physical activity and healthy meals
play a role in boosting concentration and energy levels. Many students forget that sleep
and nutrition and just as important as studying. Your brain needs rest and fuel to function
at its best.
To manage time effectively, some students are using tools like Pomodoro timers, online
flashcards, and review apps like Quizlet or Khan Academy. Others are forming study
groups or attending teacher-led review sessions after school.
Still, the mental toll of finals season can be significant. Schools are encouraging students
to take breaks, avoid burnout, and reach out for support when needed.
Good luck to all students tackling their exams–remember to take care of yourselves, trust in
your preparation, and finish the year with confidence!
Cram Less, Stress Less: The Smart Way to Survive Finals
May 13, 2025
About the Contributors

Lisa Torres, Photographer/Writer
For her first year in Newspaper, Lisa Torres, 12, joins this year’s crew as a photographer/writer. Torres hopes to achieve good grades this year, she also wants to have fun adventures and learn new things. Torres has plans of graduating from Downey with good grades and then going to Cerritos to then transfer to Cal State Long Beach to pursue a career in the medical field. With the free time that Torres has, she likes to Dance, Listen to music and sing, she also likes photography and visiting nature. Torres also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite animal is a dolphin but has a dream pet which is a fat and chubby bulldog.
Torres was excited to join newspaper this year, after being in photojournalism last year and recommended by the teacher, “I am really excited to explore the creative side of newspaper, having new experiences to photograph and write about” Torres stated “it’s really something I’ve always been curious about and ready to begin new chapters in my life.”

Nadia Phutsorn, Illustrator
Starting her first year on the Downey Legend as an Illustrator, Nadia Phutsorn,11, hopes to make connections here at newspaper as well as get back into art. Although she doesn’t know where she would like to attend college yet, she wants to major in oncology. When she’s not in school Phutsorn likes to draw and play the piano, both of which she has been doing since 6th grade. Despite describing herself as an introvert Phutsorn wants to use Newspaper to help her step out of her comfort zone and be a part of a bigger community.
“I want to hopefully connect with more people,” Phutsorn said. “For a long time I’ve avoided big communities, they made me uncomfortable in a way but now I want to settle in a place that makes me feel safe.”