The final week before winter break is usually seen as a countdown to rest, celebrations, and time away from school. However, that final stretch is often marked by heavy testing and major assignments, leaving many students overwhelmed rather than relieved.
Numerous students felt the stress of having several assessments scheduled within a few days; in some cases, tests in core subjects were back to back, overloading students with preparing for multiple classes at once. While rigorous academics are nothing new at North High, many students felt that the timing and substantial number of assessments made the week especially stressful.
For students taking A.P. and honors courses, the pressure was immense as these classes move at a faster pace and assessments tend to be very challenging. Consequently, some students spent the week constantly studying, taking tests, and immediately shifting focus to the next subject.
Students also expressed concerns about how the stress affected their overall performance, worrying that the exhaustion made it harder to concentrate during important exams. These concerns and frustrations raised questions about whether assessments taken during such a high-pressure week accurately reflected their abilities and understanding of the material.
“The amount of tests I had each day was terrifying,” said junior NiuNiu Kong. “It seemed impossible to study for all of them in due time, do my homework, and have the mental stamina to complete the tests. One day, I had 3 tests back to back, and I don’t feel as though I did my best because by the third period of testing, I’d felt like I’d forgotten everything. Then after that, I needed to study for another test.”
Beyond academics, the heavy testing took a toll student well-being. Many students stayed up late multiple nights in a row to prepare, cutting into sleep and personal time. The timing also affected student morale. Winter break is often seen as a reward after weeks of rigorous work, but the packed testing schedule made it difficult to feel the holiday spirit right away.
“There was immense stress regarding the sheer amount of material to study through in one night in order to review for multiple tests the next day, only to do the same thing the following day,” said junior Stanley Tsai. “With almost an entire week jam packed with back to back tests, rest was nearly impossible.”
However, from a teacher’s perspective, the week before break is one of the last chances to assess student learning before the large break. Teachers may need to finish unit tests, meet curriculum deadlines, or collect grades before the new year.
Additionally, some state that testing before break can even benefit students academically. Entering break with major assessments completed may allow students to rest throughout the holiday season without worrying about unfinished units or looming exams immediately afterward. Testing before break may also alleviate some of the stress regarding midterms in January as well.
“Teachers may often schedule assessments before long breaks to check understanding while material is still fresh in their students’ minds,” said Health Department Chair Kathleen Mueller. “These expectations also help prepare students for college, where deadlines are fixed and academic demands remain rigorous regardless of breaks”
Still, students questioned whether better coordination across departments could ease the workload without sacrificing academic expectations. Moreover, some teachers acknowledge that coordination across numerous departments and courses can be difficult, even with assigned testing days for each subject. Teachers are not always informed of other major tests scheduled on the same days, making unintentional overlap fairly common.
“Better coordination should become a standard in order to not push this enormous volume of work onto students,” said junior Stanley Tsai. “The stress I saw from not only myself but also my peers gives insight onto the importance of planning for teachers between departments. The student population would definitely appreciate improved coordination for the future in order to mitigate the stress.”
Adding to students’ stress, the upcoming midterm exams are approaching soon after break. For some students, the heavy testing before break felt less like an ending and more of a start to an extended testing period into the home stretch to A.P. exams, finals, and regents.
Overall, it is important to note that intense testing schedules and rigorous coursework may offer long-term benefits. Being able to manage multiple assessments and assignments mirrors the academic demands many students may face in college, where exams, papers, and projects are even more numerous and difficult. Learning how to plan and schedule ahead and perform well under pressure can help students develop time-management and study skills that extend beyond high school. While challenging, hopefully these experiences will ultimately better prepare North High students for the rigor and expectations of college and future professional environments.
