Should Finals be Before or After Break?

With winter break coming to a quick end, and finals being right around the corner. We want to hear your thoughts on finals after the break. Sophomore Paige Gausman said, “I think that finals should be before break like some of the other schools near us because for me at least, taking such a big break from learning and then coming back to school and taking a big test is hard because I forget some of the things I learn.”

Paige Gausman thinks that many students agree with her and feel that the long winter break makes it hard to keep up with their schoolwork and prepare for finals. When students return from the break, they usually struggle to get back into studying because they’ve been away from it for a while. Sophomore Teyla Nanduhura said, “I agree with Paige, I think that having finals after break makes me do worse on my final tests.” 

Some students believe that taking a break is really important. Sophomore Jaycee Koch said, “The break helps students rest and get ready for big tests. It’s good to have time to relax and get our minds ready to study again and be ready to take our finals.” The discussion about when to hold final exams shows that students have different needs as they try to study while also wanting some rest. Some people think it’s better to study right before the break, while others like to relax during winter break first.

There isn’t a single answer that works for everyone because each student prepares for finals in their own way, but as finals quickly approach, each student studies in a variety of ways based on what works best for them. Visual learners like to make drawings, flashcards, or charts to help remember things from this term. Auditory learners prefer listening to lectures or discussing in study groups. Kinesthetic learners need to do things, so they might act out scenarios, teach others, or use models. Students who learn best through reading and writing might take detailed notes, summarize information, or rewrite chapters. These different study methods show that people learn in various ways, and knowing this can help everyone study better for exams.

Some do well under pressure, but others need time to relax before starting to study hard. Finals can be really stressful, but finding a way to mix studying and relaxing can help. As winter break ends, it’s important for students to find a good balance that works for them. This might mean studying more before the break or taking time to rest. Everyone needs to get ready for finals and make the best use of their time.

As students go back to school, the weeks before their exams are really important for getting ready. Whether exams happen before or after winter break, it’s essential to balance studying and relaxing. Some students might start studying early or use the break to catch up, while others might take time to relax so they’re ready when they come back. Finals require students to use their time well, stay motivated, and think positively. By changing how they study to match what works best for them, students can feel more confident as the semester ends.