January 22, 2010
Vol. IV Issue VI
Ashland, Oregon
It’s the finals countdown by Tim Borgerson
Few experiences in high school are more harrowing than taking the SAT. But, Ashland High School math teacher Eric Wolff strives to change this common conception. Last year the final exam in his pre-calculus class elicited a chorus of moans from students; the jury is still out on whether it could have been considered cruel and unusual punishment. However, the negative response to his grueling final didn’t seem to faze Wolff, who offered an even longer final the subsequent semester. Final exams have long been held sacrosanct – a high school institution almost as old as bad cafeteria food and homecoming. However, if most students had their wish, end of semester finals would go the way of this year’s dance. Most teachers would argue that finals are a vital assessment of students’ knowledge. Student objections to finals are generally regarded as unsubstantiated: they are just whining because they actually have to study. Yet, the argument that final exams are unjust and inaccurately evaluate students’ knowledge may hold some traction. First, forcing students to take five or six exams Photo by Grace Riley-Adams over a period of two to three days leads students Smith Freeman shows her exasperation towards finals to cram for each exam and not retain the material. Furthermore, final exams (usually in math and science classes) are often high stake, Though their grueling nature does generate a din of displeasure among students, by accounting for fifteen to thirty percent of students’ grades. This leads to text anxi- far the most controversial nature of long finals is their spillover from their allotted time ety often greater than students feel when taking the SAT. For unlike the SAT, fi- into review and study periods, breaks and lunch. “I question the right of teachers to give nals can only be taken once. “Finals week would be a breeze if the exams were final exams that take time from my lunch period, especially when the teacher fully knows only worth ten to fifteen percent of your grade,” AHS senior Zoë Smolen said. that the final will take more than the allotted time,” said AHS said senior Kate Jensen. And if a standard hour and a half final isn’t enough to make you have a nervous Now, I understand that, in some cases, a proper evaluation of the matebreakdown, some teachers on campus have become infamous for their lengthy ex- rial learned throughout a semester may take longer than 90 minutes to comams Last year, Wolff ’s pre-calculus exam took some students up to three hours. plete. Instead of giving the final all in one sitting, I suggest it should be broken up While Advanced Placement exams and the SAT provide students with into more digestible portions – something Wolff is planning on doing this year. scheduled bathroom and snack breaks, most AHS finals offer no such luxury. However, students don’t hold your breaths. Don’t expect the final exam to disapYet, maybe creating a high stress level is the very point of finals week. Wolff argues pear overnight. If anything is true about schools, it’s that they are always behind the that difficult final exams better prepare students for college. Many exams students will curve. (I mean, come on, books? They are so twentieth century.) Therefore, in order to take in college – lasting up to five hours and often worth seventy to eighty percent of succeed in the upcoming finals week, heed the advice of Mr. Wolff and “start studying your semester grade – make Wolff ’s final seem like a pleasant walk through the park. early.” That way you can sleep through the review and study periods. Somebody say yah?
Freshmen finals advice by Paul Schwarzer The New Year has dawned and its rays are beating down upon youthful Ashland scholars. The New Year usually marks the beginning of a new resolution, or merely the end of the Holiday season. To the students of Ashland High School, the New Year and the conclusion of Winter Break means it’s time to start stressing about finals. For the upperclassmen, Finals Week is a walk in the park. They’ve been there, done that and know all the best ways to breeze through each 90-minute test. For the freshmen, however, the mere thought of having to attend three full days of school entirely devoted to taking tests and giving presentations is enough to make their brains explode. Fret not young freshmen, for here are a few simple tips to help keep your stress at bay: Stay Positive: The best way to reduce stress at this time of the year is to look at the positive sides of having to take so many tests. For example, during finals week most teachers will not assign any homework. For the whole week
Ashland High School Finals Schedule Tuesday, January 26 8:00 - 8:50: Review and Study * 9:00 - 10:30: 5th Period Exam (90 mins) 10:30 - 11:15: Lunch 11:15 - 12:45: 6th Period Exam (90 mins) 12:45 - 1:15: Break 1:15 - 2:45: 7th Period Exam (90 mins) 2:55 - 3:15: Review and Study * Wednesday, January 27 8:00 - 8:50: Review and Study * 9:00 - 10:30: 1st Period Exam (90 mins) 10:30 - 11:15: Lunch 11:15 - 12:45: 2nd Period Exam (90 mins) 12:45 - 1:15: Break 1:15 - 2:45: 3rd Period Exam (90 mins) 2:55 - 3:15: Review and Study * Thursday, January 28 8:00 - 8:50: Review and Study * 9:00 - 10:30: 4th Period Exam (90 mins) 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Rumble in the Jungle Dance (Small Gym) Teachers are available in their classrooms
your only job is to study for your tests and practice your presentations. In reality, finals week is the easiest week of school we have the entire year, and if you do decide to study, the tests will only be easier. Manage Your Time: Use the 30-minute breaks in between finals for some last minute studying. One of the better ways to relieve some stress of finals is to study with fellow classmates, and the 30-minute breaks provide a perfect opportunity to go to class early and review with friends. This time also presents a good opportunity to get help from teachers on the upcoming tests. Take Care of the Little Things: One of the better stress reducers is being on top of everything, so you don’t have the feeling like you’ve forgotten something. Simple things like making sure your pencil is sharpened, having a decent breakfast, being organized and knowing the finals schedule can all make for an easier finals week experience.