Finals for the first semester are here, and many students are feeling the mounting pressure and nerves they bring along. What is the mindset of students going into finals?
Freshman Landon Van Arsdale said that he is both nervous and confident about the upcoming finals. He attributes this nervousness to these being his first proper finals. He stated that his mindset going in is that he’ll do good as long as he takes time to study, which according to him, he will do.
Aaron Fuksman, freshman, said he is not worried about finals. “I am not going to struggle in the slightest. I think they’re going to look like regular tests but be a little fancier.”
“I don’t feel too great [about finals],” said Sophomore Ayden Roman. He detailed that the idea of finals to him is “horrifying” and he feels very stressed about them. He said his mindset going into testing is thinking that he is “cooked.”
Camryn Plohr said that she feels prepared for the finals and that her teachers have given her the adequate resources and time to be successful. “My mindset going in is trying to do my best so I don’t bring my grade down a lot. It’s a little bit [positive and negative] because I want to do well but also a bit of perfectionism.”
Science teacher Serry Pollock said that his goal is to make students feel as ready as they can for the tests. “I’m trying to ease stress and hoping the preparation is easing stress.” He says he also looks for students who need assistance and answer their questions to the best of his abilities.
Holiday break is coming up just before finals as well. Are students impacted by this and if so, how?
“I’ve seen [breaks] impact kids. The closer a nice, long break comes, the less effort they start putting in. That’s not necessarily true of all students,” Pollock commented. He further explained that although it’s not every single student in class, the drop-off of work quality is noticeable.
“I don’t think [holiday break will have a big impact.] I still want to try my best and do what I can to do well,” said Plohr. She further explained that she does partially want to get the finals to be over with and get onto winter break.
Van Arsdale said, “[Break] somewhat slows me down in my classes because I’m thinking it’ll be over soon, which I shouldn’t be doing, but it is happening.”
“[Break doesn’t distract me] because I’m not doing anything over break,” Fuksman said. He further said that doing nothing allows him to be able to focus solely on his tests and doing well on them.
“[Break being soon] makes me lazier,” said Roman. He further explained that he hasn’t been focusing on his classes at all because all he thinks about is winter break.
All of these things piling on students creates a unique atmosphere. Despite the break being something that is distracting people with how close it is, students shouldn’t let this impair their learning and testing. We at MHS wish you the best of luck on your finals.
