In order to maximize student performance, final exams for core classes have been scheduled for Dec. 16-19, the week prior to the winter break.

“The mindset behind it is that students will get more accomplished before the break,” Assistant Principal Wendell Joubert said. “Most students won’t study and information gets lost.”

For some, the two-week break will no longer be used for cramming.

“The schedule is beneficial because we will get to take all of our core classes (finals) before, so everything will be fresh in our minds,” senior Mariely Gomez said.

Mon., Dec. 15, will be a review day.

“I feel it’ll stress everyone out more, at least those who are dependent on the break to study for exams,” junior Ilka Megee said.

For most faculty, this is a return to how testing was conducted in the past.

“I grew up taking them before break, (it) should be a time to spend with family not to study,” Joubert said.

Elective exams will be given after the break but before the end of the semester.

“It’s a good choice, but I hate that I have to come back (from winter break) and do another set of testing,” junior Lola Ogunsuada said.

Senior Abbie Hancock said that spreading out the exams is not the best move.

“I’d rather get them all out of the way at one time instead of worrying about them for four weeks,” Hancock said.

However, the schedule also leads to an additional concern.

Gomez said, “We still have to attend normal classes with our electives and they still may be teaching new things while we are trying to prepare for our (second round of) finals.”