We all know the feeling. The dark sky is full with falling snow, and the whole world feels still. Well, except for you. You’ve been awake well past midnight, trying to cram in one last study session for the final your grade hinges on. Students have accepted the pressure and stress that comes with final exams as a normal part of the high school experience. But does it have to be? Hinsdale Central should change their finals to no “harm finals” because of students dropping mental health, the stress it causes, and the damage it does to their grades.
Nobody is immune to the stress of finals, but for students that have been diagnosed with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, it can be especially intense. I’ve had anxiety since I was young, so I speak from experience when I say; finals are a nightmare. I get stuck in a cycle of worrying, studying for long periods, burning myself out, and getting more stressed. I’m not alone in this cycle. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more teenagers are struggling with their mental health. According to NPR podcasts, 7/10 schools report that students are requesting more resources for their mental health.
Though statistics have shown a slight increase of mental health disorders in students pre-pandemic, there has been a striking uptick after nationwide lockdowns. Kids feel intense pressure to be perfect in all aspects of their lives, especially academics, something that is further heightened by finals.
While finals may be helpful sometimes, the harm that comes to student’s mental health outweighs any benefit. Many use finals as a last ditch effort to try and get the marks they need in the class, but more often than not, student’s percentages drop, hurting their GPA. According to a study done by the University of Calgary, a final exam rarely benefits students, and only those who were previously doing well get good results.
Some argue finals are a necessary evil. In college, there are fewer projects and tests, therefore those grades are worth far more. Finals occur in practically every college course. Final exams prepare students for the realities of college, where they won’t be coddled. Though a valid point ,this doesn’t mean that finals at Hinsdale Central are perfect. Students balance a multitude of activities during finals week, often sacrificing their own mental health. Yes, final exams teach students about how life will be like in university, but at what cost?
I don’t think we should get rid of final exams entirely.. Though difficult, they teach kids about skills such as time management. However, many become overly stressed because of the impact they can have on a grade. I propose an alternative to the current system of final exams. Hinsdale Central should change its finals policy to “no harm finals”, where a grade cannot drop lower than it is before the exam.. This way, kids are able to reap the benefits of final exams, such as experience and a chance to boost their grades, with less of the stress and anxiety that my generation already feels so much. For future Hinsdale Central students, finals week doesn’t need to feel like a mountain of stress, but rather, just regular school days.
