Traditionally, Marymount’s finals have fallen on the last week of January, roughly three weeks after we all return from winter break. This schedule is rather unique to Marymount considering most nearby schools, including Marlborough and Palisades Charter High School, conclude their first semester and finals before break. The testing schedule never bothered me; in fact, I was glad to delay the arduous task. However, this year, the school calendar and testing schedule underwent some revisions. Our break is a week later; now, we return for the second week of January. Rather than delaying our finals to accommodate the later break, our finals were moved a week earlier, the third week of January. We return to school only for one short week before taking our seat in the long rows filling Cantwell. This shortened period of time between break and finals creates a slew of issues for students attempting to perform well on the paramount exams.

We are all familiar with the haze that seems to fog our brains after a relaxing break. Even the three days off from Thanksgiving left me disoriented returning to school. It is a common understanding that it takes both students and teachers time to re-adjust to school. This never created an issue relating to finals previously, as the Marymount community was given ample opportunity to re-acclimate; however, we will all come back in January 2019 for the first day of review week. Hopefully, we will all be able to recover in only a week to be at peak performance come the first day of finals. Nevertheless, review week will inarguably be affected by the recent break. Students will struggle to comprehend topics, be more tired and less productive. Teachers will have to spend more time on each topic to account for the details that slipped out amongst the holidays. Review week will lose some of its effectiveness, leaving students less prepared for finals.

The upcoming finals will force students to study over the break in order to perform well. A week is not sufficient enough time to prepare for three to five tests on an entire semester worth of material, at least according to every teacher. Students will have to take time away from family, friends, and fun. Not to sound like a complaining, lazy teenager, but that sucks. Break exists to enjoy the holidays, relax, as well as provide an opportunity to improve our mental and physical health. Assuming we do not succumb to justified laziness, we will have to chain ourselves to desks and miserably dedicate time to the last thing on anyone’s mind – school. It will be difficult to study even with the best intentions. Winter break is crammed full of holiday events, family gatherings, traveling, and a sundry of other commitments. It will be difficult for even the most studious Marymount girls to find the time, proper environment, and resources to prepare for finals.

I understand that some students might prefer this new schedule, as it limits the amount of work assigned over break, shortens the stress typically surrounding the entire month of January, and prevents new material from being added after the break. However, the negatives simply outweigh the positives. Rather than assignments, students will have to study over break, which may take longer and more focus. Stress once contained to January will contaminate the joyful holiday season and the amount of covered material remains the same despite when it is taught. There are undoubtedly many administrative factors that I am unaware of, but I hope these problematic finals dates only remain as such for this year.