BY KAREN SUROS
The holiday season is not just fun and reindeer games; for high school students, it is also midterm season. After a semester of hard work and occasional tears, students now stress over their exams.
Taken right before the start of winter break, midterm exams are divided over the course of four days, with two exams being administered on each day. Students are tasked with seven midterms, one for each of their classes.
At CCHS, there is the luxury of exemptions, as long as certain requirements are met. Students must have at least a “B” both quarters if they wish to exempt, which is reasonable. Classes that have high-stakes standardized testing, such as AP classes and courses that have end-of-course (EOC) exams, are not eligible for exemption. This, too, is reasonable. Last but not least, students are limited to a maximum of three exemptions. This final requirement is less reasonable.
“We work so hard for these A’s,” junior Viktoriia Osaka said. “At the end of the year [we think] we’re going to relax and take some time to spend time with our families, but [instead] we need to study all this material from the first two quarters– that we’ve already had tests on– again.”
If an individual has put the hard work that comes with getting honor-roll-worthy grades, they should have the liberty of exempting all of the midterms they can and so please. To be on the honor roll, students must achieve at least a “B” in all seven of their classes by the end of the quarter. To be on the principal’s honor roll, students must achieve an “A” in all seven classes by the end of the quarter. After a great deal of work, those who achieve honor roll should at least be allowed more than three exemptions.
Exams like midterms leave students feeling stressed and anxious, rather than excited, before their winter break. Studies show that the fear that accompanies exams has a negative impact on the mindset of students. Young high schoolers should be reminded that while school is a prime concern, it is not above their health– mental or physical.
School is already a major reason for teen stress. This is, in part, because of exams. Permitting more exemptions for those who have earned it would likely be a great relief.
Additionally, for most students who have the grades necessary to exempt, midterms are not very meaningful in terms of their semester grade and their overall grade point average (GPA). Taking the midterm may help to improve an individual’s overall semester grade, but many students have straight A’s, meaning their semester grade will not be affected in the least. Having them take the midterm is wasting time and energy for no reason at all.
“We work so hard for these A’s,” junior Viktoriia Osaka said. “At the end of the year [we think] we’re going to relax and take some time to spend time with our families, but [instead] we need to study all this material from the first two quarters– that we’ve already had tests on– again.”
It may be argued that midterms serve as preparation for college. High school may be where students begin their college preparations, but it is also where they are allowed to unwind and truly enjoy their years before they are thrown into the real world. Midterms take away from that, and consequently so does having fewer exemptions available.
This holiday season, all high school students want for Christmas is more exemptions and less stress.
Allowing midterm exemptions is the perfect way to reward hardworking students for a semester well done. The only way to make it more rewarding is to allow more exam exemptions, which will provide plenty of motivation for students to focus on their education.
Students already show mastery of subjects by succeeding in class. Although it is important that information is retained after it is initially taught, it is also important that students are given time to rest and regroup after what may have been a stressful semester. Regardless of whether or not students take the midterm for a class, whatever information teachers hope to instill in their pupils should be reinforced as part of the coursework throughout the year.
Allowing even just one more opportunity for exemption would drastically ease the situation. This would further reward hardworking and high-achieving students, encouraging them to continue prioritizing their education.
This holiday season, all high school students want for Christmas is more exemptions and less stress.
Photo by Cassie Hartmann
