Staff Editorial

With the first semester of the 20222023 school year wrapping up at Hinsdale Central, finals are right around the corner. The first day of Winter Break was Dec. 21, and school started again on Jan. 2. First semester finals are scheduled for Jan. 18 through the 20, about two weeks after the end of break.

Most years before the Covid-19 Pandemic, finals were taken before winter break, which allowed students to fully relax. During the 2021-2022 school year, first semester finals were optional and no harm, meaning they could not affect a student’s grade if they scored lower than what was necessary to keep their current grade. For the finals this month, the school went back to traditional exams that have an impact on the semester grade, with courses opting for a final that counts for either 10% or 20% of the semester grade.

There have been many student opinions regarding the current schedule for finals after break.

“It was nice when finals were before break. I liked being completely done with first semester and not having to worry about finals after break, especially now that they can bring down my grades,” said Aubrie Benjamin, senior.

Other students like having finals after break.

“We have two weeks to study between winter break and finals so I don’t mind having them after break. Teachers will give students a lot of time to review and prepare after break,” said Elizabeth Salisbury, senior.

With finals being no harm and optional during the first semester of last year, there was no chance for students with borderline grades to have their grade dropped. Students were able to prioritize studying for the classes they wanted to take finals in. A concern with finals is that a final can make a very close grade drop down, even if it is an A. Finals shouldn’t be necessary to take if a student has an 89.5% –which is considered an A– or above in a class.

Over a semester, students work hard to maintain their grades. Finals, which are weighted differently in every subject, can drop a borderline grade. Having a grade drop can lead to students being upset and stressed.

When asked about why different subjects weigh finals differently, Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction Jessica Hurt said it is course team specific.

“We had a grading committee the past couple of years called the Learning Leadership Team. They used research to inform decisions,” Hurt said.

The weight of a certain final should be taken into consideration when studying, as they can weigh up to a maximum of

20%. For a student with a borderline grade, a 20% weighted final can make a major difference on their ending grade.

“If a student has an A then they should not have to take a final in that class. They already have proved to have a strong grade and the final might bring their grade down after working hard all semester,” said Angela Tian, senior.

According to GW Hatchet, the school newspaper for George Washington University, “Not only does finals season put students’ GPAs at risk, but it also puts students’ mental health at risk. The stress of extra studying and writing – in as many as six classes – on top of the pressure to not ruin a grade that could get you on the Dean’s List is a toxic combination.”

In the long run, it is more beneficial for students to be able to opt out of a final if they have an A. This way, they can spend more time studying for other classes and finals where their grade is not as solid. If a student has already established an A, one test should not have the power to bring it down.

While it is true that finals help prepare students for college, it is also important to be able to manage time effectively and efficiently.

In order to reduce stress and tension during an already chaotic time, Hinsdale Central students should have the opportunity to be exempt from a final if they already have an A.