Because of the change to block scheduling, the usual three, six-weeks grading period is now broken up into one six-weeks and two five-week grading periods for the first semester which means finals are now before winter break.

“It feels like our teachers are zooming through the material,” junior Traven Dorsey said. “Once I’m finally starting to understand what’s going on in class, we move on to something else. Now we have a final exam. I’m scared I won’t even know what’s on the test.”

The decision to move finals was made by the district.

“It was the right choice to make semester exams before the break,” Chemistry teacher Toby Bane said. “Many students last year came back with a lackadaisical mindset after the two-week vacation. Their attitude, mixed with not studying over the break, left them in poor shape on test day.”

Taking all the exams at once is exciting, freshman Alonso Garcia said.

“I’m relieved that we have finals this week,” he said. “ I don’t like having to study over the break. I like to enjoy my time away from school and just focus on relaxing.”

Senior Auriana Myles said she’s looking forward to graduating.

“Three more days and then I’m free of all this stress,” she said. “Studying nonstop and working has me stretched thin. I barely have time for friends. I’m so happy graduation is only 172 days away, no more of these stressful nights for me.”

Trying to balance school and life has Dorsey overwhelmed, he said.

“Stressed is an understatement when you ask how I’m feeling about these upcoming finals,” Dorsey said. “I was already struggling with trying to manage work, sports and school, but now I feel exhausted and overworked when I get home and try to complete my final reviews.”

Now that all finals are given before the break some students said they are having trouble adjusting.

“We’ve barely had anytime to prepare ourselves for the upcoming test with the new winter semester format,” Myles said.

Kline-Allen said she faces the struggle of properly preparing her students for the test.

“My greatest concern is (if) the kids understand all the material needed to pass,” Kline-Allen said. “I tried my best to give them all the information, I even spent after school hours to help some catch up. Let’s just pray it all works out on exam day.”