This semester, the dreaded finals week for SXU students will begin Monday, December 6 and will conclude Friday, December 10.
As some of us have learned the hard way, the time to begin studying for final exams is about a month in advance, depending on course load and difficulty.
Finals week is undoubtedly one of the most stressful weeks for students. A large portion of our final grade depends on one lengthy test that covers all information learned at the beginning of the semester up until now.
The weeks leading up to the final exam, students continue to learn more content, having tests and quizzes to study for up until the last week before finals. This causes students to struggle as they try to study for both upcoming tests and final exams.
While the purpose of final exams is to measure what students have learned throughout the semester, students also take several exams and quizzes throughout the semester as well. Why is a “final” necessary if previous exams and quizzes represent what students have learned?
Throughout the semester, student’s comprehension and ability to understand the coursework is measured through their performance in class and while taking exams.
However, final exams measure students’ testing abilities for that single day, rather than their academic abilities and success throughout the entire semester.
For students who already have an A in a class before the final exam, why should they be forced to undergo so much stress, as they study for hours in order to keep the grade they already have and worked so hard for.
If a student already has an A in a class, have they not already proven that they understand the contents of the course material?
For students that do not have an A in a class before their final exam, should the final exam be an optional way to improve their grade?
A suggested scenario for this, would be if the student decides they are satisfied with their current grade, then they should be allowed to keep that grade without the added stress of taking a final to maintain their current grade.
If the student chooses to take the final exam to improve their grade, but perform poorly, their final grade should not be impacted by the poor final exam grade.
Instead, finals should be an optional way for students to improve their grade if they perform well on the exam. Final exams should be an optional form of extra credit, not stressful tests that could potentially destroy one’s G.P.A.(Grade point average).
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