Finals, What a Drag!

[Morgan Delapa]

Now we all know its toward the end of the semester. You know what that means, yes finals. The time to stress to make sure you get the grade you deserved. To some these tests are very important. People study and study to make sure they can do well and do their best.  To others they are just another test they aren't gonna study for. Some people need the the grade so they spend the whole weekend reviewing and cramming as much info in them as they can. While others, get to class and remember "oh yeah I have a math final today, oh well." Sometimes the weekend before final people tend to freak out and trap themselves in their room. But which ever way you look at finals, I am going to give a few tips that hopefully can help to relieve some of that stress and ensure that you do well on them.

Tips for surviving finals:

1. Don’t panic- its one final and its only part of your grade.

2. Don’t be too relaxed-but dont blow it off, it still has some effect.

3. Use an effective study method-find your own method that helps you comprehend easily.

4. Arrive on time for the exam- its important and ensures you that you can take it

5. Don’t worry about others finishing earlier than you- dont freak if others finish, take your time.

6. Read the directions on the test- sometimes there are helpful hints so make sure to read them.

7. Take breaks when studying- studying then taking a break will give you the chance to take a breather. This gives your brain a little rest.

8. Get enough sleep- pulling an all-nighter to study isn't a good idea, you should be rested

 

 

 

 

 

 

But seriously are finals even necessary. I mean they are one big test that can make or break you grade! Everyone stresses over one little test. 20% of your grade could do some damage though. I personally think they should lower the percentage to 10 or 15%, that would be more fair. Because even if you do bad on one test you should get the grade you deserve! So what are your views on finals? Are they really necessary? And is the percentage unfair? write your thoughts below.

I hope my tips can help you and give you some help for these stressful times. I mean it is junior year, and the most important year. The one where all the colleges focus on and finals can sometimes make or break your grade. But I mean thats not too much stress. Well I hoped you like them, and keep them in mind when studying for finals. Good luck to everyone! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Haley Bohl]

i think it would be a good idea to lower the percentage of how much it affects our grades.  if you get two a pluses for the quarters and get a c on the final it can bring it down so much and thats just not fair. and it rediculous that they eexpect us to rememeber every single thing we learned from the whole semester and sometimes the whole year.

[Meghan Byrne]

I also think it would be a good idea to lower the percentage. Someone could do great the whole year and actually get the material but then for some reason do bad on the final. The final grade shouldn't reflect on the whole year. It could be false.

[Ben Luke]

I think that finals should be a part of school, but not such a big part. I mean how can they expect a kid to remember 18 weeks worth of stuff for one day? Usually I look at the classes I am set on and then work more on classes that the final could really affect

[Jack Andersen]

FInals are such a pain. I work hard to get my A's and I even when the 1st and 2nd quarter comes to an end, I am satisfied with my grades but terrified that I might bomb a final and not get the grade that I feel I deserve, I'm not a fan of finals.

[megan bryk]

Finals are definately too big of a part on your grade.  The percent should be lowered because students have already proved they know the information through tests during the semester.  I agree with Bekah, they do test memory and that's not fair.  Also some students are not good test takers so they might do bad so that could effect their grade a lot.  The percentage needs to be lowered so finals don't put so much stress on students, there are enough things for us to stress out about.

[Bekah Bostrom]

all finals do is test students memory... it's really a problem in the education system. I can honestly say I've gotten A's in classes just by temporarily storing information in my brain, and then immediatly forgetting it afterwards. I don't even necessarily understand what I'm remembering. Our education system revolves strictly around how well a student can remember book facts, you'll never get graded on things like street-smarts. Which unfortunatley, for a lot of kids, stive in while they have trouble remember book-related facts. So, I don't really think finals are that necessary because it's not testing anything that's important. It's testing the same thing it did when you were first taught it, how well you can remember something, not understand it or apply it or use any type of life skills in. So, what's the point?

[whitney cummings (caleo)]

I think finals are necessary, but I also think the impact they have on your grade isnt fair at all. The problem is, not everyone is a good test taker. That doesnt mean they werent paying attention or dont understand the material. People freak out and get themselves so worked up that their mind just goes blank when it comes to taking the test.

[Aly Glover]

I do think that finals are necessary because you proves that you actually paid attention in class & learned something throughout the semester. However, I don't think that it should affect your semester grade as much as it does. Some people are just bad test takers but that doesn't mean they didn't learn anything. Some of my teachers made us do a project as our final, which I like. A project gives you a different way to prove what you learned &, in my opinion, takes just as much effort or more to put together as studying for a test.

[Ryan Woodman]

I talked with Mr. Spoor the other day about finals, and we both share the same opinion in that they are neccesary, but the impact they have on your grade is very unfair. If you fail a final, you obviously didn't learn anything all year, therefore your semester grade should reflect that. Likewise, if you ace a final, you should get much more credit for it.

[Jack Finis]

I agree. I believe that the percentage of your exam grade should have less of an effect on your semester grade. Some people are bad test takes and really strive for a B with completing homework assignments, projects, etc.