Saint Ursula Academy Exams: Tips for Test Day
By Payton Pennywitt and Aubrey Massey
October 6, 2025
Sydney Socha ’26 and Lindsey Kornowa ’26 studying in The Learning Commons for upcoming exams. Photo Courtesy of Aubrey Massey.
TOLEDO, OH - Exams play a major role in students’ academic success at Saint Ursula Academy, contributing to a final grade in every class.
Exams account for 20% of final grades in the high school and 10% for the Junior Academy, which shows how important they are for overall academic results. Because of this, students need to take exams seriously and prepare in advance.
By effectively planning, students can improve their grades and feel more confident with less stress during the chaos of exam week.
Tutors at SUA emphasize the importance of preparing for exams early instead of waiting until the last minute.
Highlights of The Learning Commons for students preparing for exams. Video Courtesy of Aubrey Massey.
“Planning and prepping and then studying in advance, I think, is the number one thing they need to do…whether it’s making a quizlet, writing out their notes, or making an outline.” said Amny Karban, a tutor with 15 years of experience at SUA.
Along with the tutoring SUA offers, there are several tips students can use to maintain their mental wellness.
“Start preparing early for exams, just feel confident in the material, and don't be scared to talk about exam stress with someone,” said Courtney Hollister, School Counselor at SUA.
Many students may feel an increase in stress during the weeks leading up to exams; however, preparation ahead of time will minimize stress before exams.
In addition to this, the counseling department will be available during seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 8 for any questions relating to exams.
“Counselors, on Wednesday, are going to be holding open office hours in the Welcome Lobby to give study tips, organization (tips), or (addressing) specific concerns,” said Ms. Hollister.
As exam week approaches, students are finding ways to balance preparation and stress to achieve success.
“I manage my stress by giving myself breaks and start studying early on,” said Gabriella Duvendack ’26, a senior at SUA.
Students taking more rigorous exams may feel more stressed due to the higher workload, but dedicating study time for these classes each day will help balance academic needs and their personal lives.
“I feel like breaking studying up into sections knowing that I won't be studying all day helps. I try to be as prepared as possible so nothing is a surprise," said Eden Thomas ’27, a junior at SUA.
By staying prepared, students can stay on top of their work and avoid the stress that comes with exams.
