After a few years, the students of MHS are starting to realize the changes they wish could be undone. One of those is the final schedule. Currently, our finals are scheduled after winter break. This creates a gap between the days of school and a test that is deemed as one of the biggest and most impacting tests in the school year.

MENTAL HEALTH:

Mental health is one of the most important things to this generation. After many years, the youth started to dive deep into the roots of its issues. Stress is a very big thing that can contribute to different mental health issues. Finals are stressful and time-consuming for many students, but having the final after the break may make the students spend their break studying for tests, rather than spending time with those around them.

ALTERNATIVES:

Usually, tests will be given after various review dates, muskie times, and even tutoring, but having the finals scheduled after Christmas break encourages students to use their studying time more wisely. Winter break should be a stress-free time for students. Most people spend the holiday break with their family or loved ones. Taking finals after the holidays causes stress and worry, instead of your break actually feeling like a break.

Some schools have block schedules. Block schedules are when classes last 90-120 minutes. This makes it so there is a lower workload for the students and teachers and results in a better work environment.

NEW YEAR, NEW ME:

After winter break, students have a clean slate to try new things, work on themselves, or more. But with our current finals schedule, we enter the new semester with the same work, the same classes, and the same mindset. Changing our schedule to take our finals before we leave for break can give students a fresh start and could result in better work ethics, a new mindset, better health habits, and more.

STUDYING TIPS:

Unfortunately, the final schedule cannot be changed for this school year. Keeping that in mind, here is the best way to study!!

Flashcards: Flashcards are an effective way to study because it helps to recall certain terms you may have trouble with. You can practice with friends, family, or yourself.

Study for fifteen minutes then take a five-minute break: Every brain needs a break to be able to fully process the information you have just learned. Taking breaks gives it a better chance to go into your long-term memory.

Write things out: Writing things out makes it so you can read it multiple times and then retain it faster.

Make your notes look aesthetically pleasing: Making things look nice can make it so studying is fun! Which then makes you want to do it more!!

Do not procrastinate: Space out your studying time. Procrastinating makes it harder to cram all of the information and remember it even though everyone has other classes as well.

Be confident: Just being confident creates a placebo effect that makes you believe you will do good which could truly make you do good!!

Quizlet: Quizlet is a fun way to remember information by playing games!!