Final Exams Before Christmas?

Students working hard. Photo by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Final Exams Before Christmas?

By Jin Yup Jung '14

Should finals be taken before or after Christmas break?

Red Cloud High School ended up their semester finals before Christmas this year. Since teachers and some students wanted to enjoy their Christmas break without worrying about their finals, superintendent Ted Hamilton changed the schedule, giving finals on 16th and 17th of December before the winter break so that both teachers and students could relax, enjoy their families, take advantage of a few days away from school, and prepare for the next semester

However, there were some advantages and disadvantages to the new schedule.

“It was really good to finish before Christmas for both teachers and students because teachers did not have to be concerned making finals and also students could have a great Christmas break without worrying about their finals,” said Academic Principal Clay Leonard. “The advantages of having the semester done before Christmas is that we’re starting brand new in January. However, the negatives are testing time and LNI run into each other. Also, teachers needed to complete their grades over the Christmas break. I believe that the advantages overcome the negatives so I believe it was better to end the term before Christmas.”

“I did actually like it,” math teacher Melinda Jackson said. “At first, I was a little leery trying to get everything done before Christmas. But it was nice coming back after Christmas and starting fresh."

A lot of Red Cloud students complained about waiting until after Christmas to take their finals in previous years. “I actually thought it was a lot better than the previous method,” Daniel Lucero '14 said. “Mostly, because the students did not have to go on vacation and completely forget school, then having to come back and take huge tests that determines their futures.”

However, some students still did not like the new schedule since they did not have enough time to prepare for their finals. “I didn’t like it all,” said Chelsea Benson '16. “I was unprepared and exhausted.”

Ultimately, even though there were some negatives effects, most students were more likely to prepare well and finish successfully because they were already in a school mindset.