Finals Week: Not For The Weak

Finals week is arriving, and that means one thing: Christmas Break. Almost every class Fair Grove offers will have a final, or some sort of ‘final test’. The final days will be Thursday the 18th, and Friday the 19th. Thursday will be a full day of school, while Friday will be an early out day. On the 18th, students will go to four classes the whole day, because class times are extended due to finals. Students will go to 1st, 2nd, 4th and 7th hours on Thursday. On Thursday, first lunch will start at 11:08, with second lunch to follow at 11:32.  On Friday, students will attend three classes, 3rd, 5th and 6th hours. First lunch on Friday will start at 10:56 while second lunch will start at 11:18.

Every student has the option to opt out of one core final and one non-core final, as long as they meet the requirements. If you meet all the requirements, you receive both opt out cards. If you only meet one criteria, you will just receive one opt out card for a non-core class. Non-core classes include all elective classes (Spanish, computer classes, P.E. classes, etc.). The core classes are all your required classes (your History class, Math class, etc.).

Kyle Cavanaugh, a junior, is taking multiple finals at the end of this semester. “I fill out study guides, have study dates with my friends, asking questions during class and a lot of late night studying,” states Cavanaugh on how he prepares for finals. Cavanaugh also says, “finals don’t help your grade unless you do really well, and they don’t bring your grade down unless you do really bad.”

Macy Lumley, sophomore, is not looking forward to finals week. “I’m dreading finals week. I don’t want to take my finals. I’m afraid because I’m a horrible test taker,” says Lumley. “I plan on studying at home. I’ll go over all my notes from this past semester, as well as any old assignments I’ve kept,” states Lumley. Some ways to prepare for finals are studying at home, or with friends. Some teachers will stay after school and schedule study sessions for students looking to study with the teacher a bit.

Brian Carroll is looking forward to his first high school finals, because it means Christmas break. “I’m studying when I can. Sometimes basketball will go late, but if it doesn’t, I try and study at night,” states Carroll.