Students spend long nights studying, organizing note cards, charging MacBooks and picking out their comfortable outfit, all in preparation for upcoming exams.

The long hours in a desk chair, being the first to finish in the testing room, and that silence that somehow becomes deafening, are all things some students have experienced during exam testing. 

Despite the stressful seasons, students find hope in the little things throughout their school day. 

“I’m looking forward to the long lunch periods,” Oliver Darnell (9) said.   

As soon as the bell rings, students flood the halls on their way to the lunch room, finding a table with their friends, and then finally getting in line. 

“There is a chance that my buddies will be in the lunch period so I can sit and talk with them since they regularly aren’t in my normal lunch block,” Max Bauer (11) said.

Pajamas are a huge positive for students. Students get the chance to bring that comfort into the school building, which can help students with how they feel throughout the day.

“I’m looking forward to wearing pajamas. “I can just get out of bed and not have to worry about any day to day clothing.” Antonie Killebrew (9) said. 

Staying comfortable is key to a good day and a good test score. Additionally, students look forward to watching movies or celebrating with their classmates during periods in which they do not have to test.

“During classes where we do not test, I’m looking forward to having the time to watch some movies,” Ethan Lang (10) said. 

On the flip side, some students genuinely just enjoy the exam itself. Loving and appreciating something that will benefit one’s knowledge is a life skill, one that students start to learn in their high school years. 

“I simply and purely love the exams we have the opportunity to take. We get the satisfaction of testing our knowledge and applying abilities crafted throughout the semester. It’s a culmination of the joys and pleasures of learning in one carefully cultivated exam and a chance to show the proficiency of our excellent teacher’s strategies. I feel blessed. The tests are usually fun as well,” Max Holbrook (12) said.

Having a positive mindset towards a period of time that may not have always felt positive will help one’s outlook on all aspects of their life. Hopefully getting some more rest and studying hard can help students get the grades they desire so they may relax as they wish over Christmas break.