Whether vigorously studying until one o’clock in the morning or calculating the score needed to maintain a good grade, school finals can bring stress to many students. However, with recent schedule changes being only a few weeks before finals, many teachers have found themselves in a place of stress as well. With this, FHS teachers have announced their concerns with finals both related and unrelated to the schedule changes.
At the start of the year, rumors were spread that a new finals schedule had been in the works. The current schedule for winter finals wasn’t decided and announced until Nov. 30, 17 days before the beginning of finals week. This fast turnover has some teachers, like language arts teacher Erin Domokos, relieved as the proposed schedule would’ve required more work.
“Theoretically, any teachers who’ve worked at FHS since last semester should be able to use your old final,” Domokos said. “The [proposed] schedule would’ve actually required more prep work for me.”
For math teacher Karen Hanawalt, concerns about the proposed schedule are in relation to the students’ stress levels. The proposed schedule had up to three finals in a day, while the current one only goes up to two finals in a day.
“I think [three finals in one day] would be really difficult for students,” Hanawalt said. “I do like the current schedule, even though I think students have a lot of exams in a short amount of time.”
Similarly, Domokos has a preference towards the current schedule because of its possible benefits for the students.
“I just think the current schedule allows as much flexibility and adaptability for students,” Domokos said. “It allows [students] to plan and more closely simulate a college or career experience rather than them being with [teachers] every last minute.”
Aside from the amount of exams per day, Hanawalt also likes the office hours that take place before each day. The office hours last from 8:30 to 10:40 on all days except Friday, where it lasts an extra 35 minutes.
“I do like the morning [office hours] to come in for help,” Hanawalt said. “I always have students come in and it reinforces what they’ve studied. I think it gives them confidence for tests.”
Outside of the schedule itself, Hanawalt also finds worry in the amount of work students have to do.
“I think [students] are given a ton of reviews,” Hanawalt said. “They’re also finishing up their courses, so they could have late tests and quizzes. And then, they have to get ready for an exam. I think that would be the most stressful time with the fast turnaround and having to prepare for so many finals.”
Not only does Hanawalt think the week is stressful for students, but also for teachers when worrying about students’ success.
“As teachers, we really want students to do well,” Hanawalt said. “Sometimes, I think [teachers] worry about if students are putting in [study time] out of class. Wondering if they’re doing their part at home is probably the most stressful part for me.
Whether its teachers or students stressing their way through finals week, both can strive to work hard and finish the semester with a spectacular finale.
