The Finals Debate

As I look at my school planner, it’s hard to believe that the end of the semester is coming up. This means finals! Which is better finals before or after break? There are great reasons to have them before winter break and good reasons to have them after, as well.

Sometimes it seems finals before winter break are the best choice for students. Over the holidays we can relax and enjoy the two weeks without school. Although it’s nice for finals to be after the break, the only thing we can think about is how many days are left until school is out.

Finals before break are good because then you can enjoy winter break and not stress for the finals coming up. Senior Esraa Odeh said “We don’t have to worry about it [finals] and can have a stress free break.” Also students can start fresh after break and have a clean slate with a new year.

Then there is the other side, having finals after we get back from the holiday break. “Finals are best after break because we can study more during the winter break,” said Sophomore Megan Miller. It is really hard to concentrate in school for the last two weeks because everyone is tired of school and needs a break, even the teachers.

The administration agrees that having finals before break is best because it will help students. “I believe that students will do much better academically if they are permitted to take their finals prior to the winter break – helping grade point averages and subsequently college admissions,” said Dr. Taylor.

UHS is one of the few schools that have finals after break; the Champaign schools have them before and so do many other area high schools. Who knows? Maybe changing finals to before break will be something in the future.