Finals

T H E F I N A L C O U N T D O W N

Students prepare for the return of exams

Veda Thangudu thangved000@hsestudents.org

Aer three semesters of not taking nal exams, the administration has reinstated them this year. Currently, students and sta are preparing for the nals. “I expect [the exams] to be di cult with the AP classes I’m doing,” senior Lizabeth Cardona said. “Because of a long break, it’s going to feel longer and more stressful.” ough upperclassmen have taken nals previously, they have not taken them since 2019. For underclassmen, this year will be the rst time taking nal exams at the high school level. “I’m assuming it’s just going to be kind of a wrap up of the whole semester,” sophomore Kiley Fields said. e score for nal exams accounts for 20% of the overall semester grade. “It is important for students to be able to demonstrate what they know, and the nal exam is one of those ways we can do that,” Spanish teacher Sarah Druelinger said. “I think that students will perform as they have been performing all semester. Hopefully, some will do a little better.” Druelinger believes that it is important for teachers to know about how the student is feeling so they can help before the exam. “Always communicate with your teacher if you’re not sure what to expect,” Druelinger said. “I’ve been working with a lot of students in Targeted Instruction trying to bring up some of those grades.” During nals that take place on Dec. 15 to Dec.17, the schedule includes optional o ce hours in the morning for students to be assisted by teachers before the exam. A er a year of hybrid learning, a lot of teaching methods have changed. “It’s been a little bit challenging,” Druelinger said. “Curriculums have changed, especially in my class. It’s a lot of work to put the nal exams together. My exams are going to be a little shorter.” While everyone has di erent methods of preparing, Cardona has a few ways she studies for exams. “Sometimes making ash cards helps,” Cardona said. “I go over the review guide.” Students take advantage of Targeted Instruction blocks before nals. “During Targeted Instruction, I study with a group of friends and we help each other out,” Fields said. “It’s incredibly helpful to have a study group.” Fields believes that not properly preparing for nals can be an issue for students. “You have to make time. You can’t just be going through your day and say, ‘Okay, I’ll do this’ and never get to it,” Fields said. Students will get feedback on the written responses part of the nal exams. However, there is no date for when feedback should be shown to students. When it comes to preparing for nal exams, Druelinger has advice. “I recommend rst going through all of your notes, all of your les, every single thing you’ve done for the entire semester,” Druelinger said. “Especially with those things you did back in August and September, it’s been a long time. Good luck on the exams.”