Post date: Jan 29, 2021 4:12:49 PM
Addy Williamson, staff
Semester finals are right around the corner. All grade levels have different expectations for their finals. With the many available resources for helping students study and pass their finals, SBHS also offers an After School Program (ASP) two to three times a week. This program has been proven to be beneficial in many ways.
The After School Program usually has a math teacher, an English teacher and one other teacher. These professionals are also usually well versed in other areas as well and can help cover most of the curriculum.
Instructor Danelle Johnson is the coordinator of the After School Program.
“Between five and 25 students attend the ASP each night. This program offers a quiet place where students can get help or just come to study,” Johnson said. “The number of students who attend the ASP does rise after Parent/Teacher Conferences and when the semester is coming to an end. These are the times that students tend to get nervous about their grades and want to put in more effort than usual.”
Aundra Stark (10) said she has had nothing but “a great experience with the After School Program. The program is a great way to have no distractions and to not be bothered.”
Lance Septka (10) said he went to the after-school program last year almost every day after football practice to get help with his assignments. Septka said he focuses on one assignment at a time even if it means getting behind. This method helps him get the best grades he feels he could possibly receive.
Hannah Aston (11) has found herself most stressed for her trig class final because the course is exceptionally challenging.
“I prepare for finals by studying my notes and doing extra practice problems,” Aston said. “I also study during Christmas break because I do not want to forget the information I learned in the two-week period.”
The new freshmen are anxious about taking finals for the first time. Freshman year is often voted the most stressful year of finals in high school. Maeghan Rosenkranz (9) is taking her first round of finals this coming January.
“So far, I have not had any finals yet, but I predict freshman year will be the most stressful for finals because I haven't done them before,” she said.
Rosenkranz said she is most stressed about her geometry class because of her grade in that class.
“The only way I can get my grade up is doing good on the rest of my tests and finals,” Rosenkranz said.
There are many different techniques of how students can study for their finals. Emme Berglund (12) said she prefers to use Quizlet, Kahoots or even the study guide she is given.
“I do some studying during Christmas break,” she said, “but not a lot because it is supposed to be a break from school.”
Berglund said she feels semester finals are harder than the end-of-the-year finals.
The study techniques individuals choose from the start when preparing for exams usually follow them for the rest of their lives.
Mariah Muchow (10) said, “I honestly live off of the study guides given out by teachers the few weeks prior to finals. I'm not very good at studying as I honestly usually just glance at any notes I need for a test and memorize it for that specific test. You can't really do this with finals though, as there is just too much information. The study guides allow me to look over the information I need for the final and I end up studying and becoming familiar with the material.”
Carlie Johnson (10) said said, “I plan to study by going over my notes and making flashcards for myself. I will study every other day during Christmas break, spending an hour each day preparing.”
Johnson said she feels freshman year has been the most difficult year of finals she has taken so far.
Everyone has different opinions on which finals are the hardest.
Jared Sailer (12) said, “My junior year finals were the hardest for me. Throughout high school, I have found that the end-of-the-year finals are harder.”
The junior grade is often categorized as the most difficult year in high school.
Michael Turbiville (12) thinks his senior year has been his most stressful year of finals throughout his high school career.
“I think they are the most stressful because it is your last year of high school, and if you fail a class, then you don't get to graduate,Turbiville said, adding, “So to the under class-men, I would say that their finals are easier than any of our senior finals.”
Final exams for the Fall 2020 semester are scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 20, for red blocks 1, 2 and 3; Thursday, Jan. 21, for white blocks 1, 2 and 3; and Friday, Jan. 22 for red and white blocks 4.