With the end of the semester slowly approaching, the hallways have been abuzz with conversations about upcoming midterms and holiday plans. While these kinds of conversations have remained a constant at Lambert, there has also been a discussion about changes with the midterm schedule.
In the past, students would typically take their eighth period exam on the first day of midterms week. However, this year students will have to take their first and seventh period exams on the first day and will have a makeup exam period on Friday, December 19, which is the last day of exams. While many underclassmen may not notice this change, upperclassmen have noted that it feels like an unnecessary adjustment from previous years’ schedules.
“It’s because we’re more comfortable with it at this point,” Junior Aahana Jain explained. “If you’ve had it for so many years in a row now, then why change it.”
After being used to the same schedule for the past couple of years, many students will have to alter their study plans to accommodate for the new schedule.
While it may seem like a change that came out of the blue, there are actually many factors that went into deciding the midterm schedule. A lot of the decision is based on how many students are on campus and the number of half-days high schools are allotted for the midterm. These aren’t the only factors that Assistant Principal Kristen Fowler notes.
“Some of that has to do with parking and when buses run,” Ms. Fowler said. “And then we also spoke to a lot of the other high schools. We just have a lot more factors to consider than probably the students even realize.”
Since these aspects change every year, the schedule has to be adapted to fit the circumstances.
By taking these factors into consideration, the administrators have to make a schedule that optimizes every student’s success in the midterms. To accomplish this goal, they decided to change the order of the midterms around so everyone had an opportunity to take all of their exams.
“That allows for a makeup period,” Assistant Principal Rebecca Parker noted. “So for kids who end up getting sick, they have an opportunity.”
The new midterm schedule has been made with Lambert’s students in mind. With grades being due and the pressure of the midterms increases, students should remember that staying organized and pacing themselves will allow for the least stressful experience.
