January
Helpful hints diminish fears of upcoming finals
L exi W elp
It is easy to become
stressed and overwhelmed
during the last few weeks
of the semester. As teachers
pile on the projects and
tests worth 10 percent of an
individual's grade, it is easy
to see how one can become
easily frazzled. However,
with the right preparation
and a balanced schedule of
studying and relaxation it
is possible to survive the
nightmare known as Finals.
"Take one subject at
a time; don't try and
focus on two things at
once," Tom Swearingen,
guidance counselor, said.
The important thing to
remember about finals,
whether it is for Spanish or
biology is that it is probably
going to be cumulative and
will cover anything learned
since the start of September.
Keeping this in mind, it
is a excellent idea to review
any past notes taken in
each class. As Finals week
approaches many teachers
begin to hand out reviews
for what their specific final
will cover.
"The reviews are good
because the kids can focus
on what they need to
study," Swearingen said.
Having a review for each
specific class is also helpful
when it comes to time
management because it lets
each student focus on each
class individually instead of
looking at six different tests.
"I would try and not
do everything at once,"
Swearingen said. "It's
important not to multi
task."
Because each student
has six finals to study for,
it is important for each
individual to map out a
study guide for themselves
and set aside allotted
amounts of time for each
class in order to review
effectively. A good resource
to use when trying to set
aside time to study is www.
studygs.net.
This website allows
students to navigate
through their busy schedule
and enter in their daily
activities and amount of
time it takes to complete
each. Once a category
is complete the website
automatically calculates
how many hours are left in
a day to study. This website
takes the guess work out
of planning and is an
important resource to every
student looking for time to
study.
"The time to study is
now," Swearingen said.
According to him the
best time to really start
reviewing for finals week
is the slot of four weeks in
between winter break and
the end of the semester.
"Most every student
knows how to study, it is a
question of whether they
want to or not and do it,"
Swearingen said.
Penny War goes to Haitian relief
E mily R eed __________________
The annual "Penny War"
raises funds for a different
charity each year this year
funds will be directed to
the relief efforts in Haiti.
On Jan. 12, a 7.0 magnitude
earthquake hit the poverty-
stricken country of Haiti.
With the fundraiser already
organized, Associated
Student Body decided to
direct it toward Haiti.
"We always do this
fundraiser, but this year, it
goes to a better cause," Valorie
Wallace, ASB president, said.
Each class has a large
water jug to fill with pennies.
The goal is to collect the most
pennies, and the least amount
of silver coins in each jar.
Students put the larger coins
in other classes' jars, thus
bringing down their score,
but still donating to the cause.
Each class will rack up a score
based on the ratio of pennies to
larger coins.
On the video ROAR, Lou
Bailey, principal, pledged to
match the total that all classes
collect in the time that the
fundraiser is run.
The Penny War will run for
at least two weeks, or until a
significant amount of money is
collected.
■
■**'•**
> • •••
Photo by Libby Kara
A student w orks on a review for first sem ester finals. Students often
fear the end of the term tests, but Tom Sw earingen, counselor, suggests
taking things one sub j ect at a time and starting early. Finals begin Feb. 2.
Valentine's Day gifts
for under $25
The most-widely known
day of romance is coming
in a few weeks. If you're
strapped for cash consider
these affordable gifts
without breaking a sweat.
Valentine's Day does not
need to break the bank to
be romantic.
•The Proposal DVD
($22.99 www.amazon,
com)
• "I Love You" Bean
Sprout Plant ($7.95 www.
gadgetbargains.com)
•Personalized Love
Word Canvases ($24.95
www.personalcreations.
com)
For him:
Photo by Zack Mueller
Linn may be at risk
aiti-like earthquake
The nation of Haiti suffered a major
earthquake on Jan. 12. What are the chances
that something similar could happen in
West Linn? There is a one in ten chance
that there will be a 9.0 <
Linn in the next 5 0 )
Oregon Department of Geology and Mir eral
Industries.
The Portland metro area lies on the
f
Cascadia subduction zone, where the Juan
de Fuca plate is sliding under the North
American plate, causing earthquakes. It also
created Crater Lake and made Mt. St. Helens
ip il
its top.
V-
il i f
W.
According to city-data.com, historical
earthquake activity in the West Linn area is l «
® 7 3 percent greater than the overall United
States average. In the past 20 years, the city
has experienced six earthquakes, the most
powerful being a 5.7 magnitude quake in
1993, a moderate rating.
-m . -
■■
■ I
To prepare for an earthquake of
catastrophic proportions*:
• Subscribe to emergency alerts (to subscribe
to WLWV’s, go to http://www.flashalert
net/news.html?id=19)
• Yes, it's a given, but know to call 911 during
emergency, as well as family members you
can call
• Family should agree on a safe place to meet
/
when
there's an emergency
,
• During an earthquake, duck under a sturdy
piece of furniture (i.e., table) and away from
anything that could fall (i.e., picture frame)
• If you're driving while an earthquake is
starting, pull over to a clear place free of
,c
••
poles and overpasses
• Have a disaster kit handy with first aid kit,
flashlight, food and water, cash, spare keys,
cell phone, maps of the city, and medicines
(e.g., prescriptions, Tylenol, Pep to Bismol,
etc.)
*Th<? Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross
•A personalized
candy bar using the
computer to design a
new wrapper ($1.50
Safeway / albertson’s)
•Fender Premium
Celluloid Guitar Picks
($3.99 for a pack of eight
www. musiciansf riend.
com)
•Apple itunes Gift Card
($15 Apple Store/Target)
•Box of Chocolates ($10
Sweet Factory)
•NFL Universal Remote
Control ($24.99 www.
amazon.
com)
For
family:
•Sweetheart Dessert
Plates ($24.95 www.
redenvelope.com)
•French Heart-shaped
Sugar Cubes ($25 Sur La
Table)
•Electronic Sudoku
Game ($12.99 the
Discovery Channel
Store)
•Guatemala Casi
Cielo coffee ($12.95
Starbucks)
• Valenitine's Day
Toilet Paper ($14.95
www.justpaperroses.com)
For her:
•iLuck Stretchy Gold
Heart Bracelet ($24 www.
shopintuition.com)
•Fair Isle Sweater-knit
Slipper Socks ($10 www.
oldnavy.com)
No Cost:
•Bake cookies together
•Have a picnic
•Plan a scavenger hunt
•Take a midnight hike
•Write a poem