As winter presses on, behind the walls of Hermiston High School, students and faculty are preparing to wrap up the first semester of the 2012-13 school year, which ends Jan. 17.

Students and teachers have been preparing for finals and a chance to begin anew when the second semester begins.

Like a halfway mark until the end of the school year, students often are eager to get the first semester behind them and start new classes.

Typically, students map out the classes they wish to take in the coming year at the end of the previous school year.

When the first semester ends, the electives an individual chose but didnt get are the ones they are most-likely to rotate to at the semester break.

For example, if a student wanted to take cooking and photoshop but got cooking and child growth and development instead, they would rotate from child growth and development into photoshop in the second semester.

The beginning of school is always the hardest, but when you push through all of the stuff and make it this far, its a huge victory.

Freshman Kaylee Harmon said brightly. Now we just have to get through the finals, and push through the rest.

Though it can often be hectic and stressful for students, they are told by faculty and counselors finals are nothing huge to worry about.

Most teachers think of the end of the semester as a milestone to mark where they are and where they should be in the curriculum they are assigned to teach.

Students shouldnt fret over the semester ending, said Pat Birkby, Algebra 2 teacher. Ultimately (in core classes) the grade you get for that semester will balance out with the grade you receive in your second semester; this is valid as long as the grade is passing, Birkby added.

If youve been paying attention, finals should be a breeze. You shouldnt worry yourself over them, or youll just freak yourself out and then you may actually do badly; the key is always to stay calm and collect. Mikayla Marks, senior and honor roll student, said.

Im a little worried Kalene Klombang, a senior, begins with a shrug. I definitely just want to put this behind me, Klombang adds with a laugh.

Its common for students to get nervous before something big however, the key to success is confidence, according to most school counselors.

And when it comes to school one thing in particular can guarantee a good grade: studying. Granted, many students complain the word studying seems to be a combination of student and dying, for those who hate sitting for an hour or longer only focusing on one subject.

It is and always will be the best way to get a good grade, according to school officials.

The finals are much like any other test, albiet longer and the questions a bit harder, but generally its a review over the things students have learned.

Timing is everything, one shouldnt wait until the last minute to cram all the information they can in their skull this ends up just causing a huge problem for most students, because typically they dont remember everything they tried to cram in. Hermiston High School Counselor Mike Royer said. I think its more difficult for those who are in high school, because in high school you could have seven to eight finals, and three to four a day. In college, you typically only have two, maybe three finals you have to study for.

There are six steps to passing a final efficiently, Royer continues, One, start studying early. Two, be organized and prepared. Three, create outlines. Four, when in in doubt always find help. Five, get plenty of sleep the night before your finals. Finally, six, stay calm.