As the school year ends, finals are coming up around the corner. Some students believe that it is very stressful and scary, while others haven’t prepared yet. Some districts may require finals in all subjects, while others may only have them for certain subjects. At Edison Intermediate School, all grades, sixth through eighth, have to take a math cumulative exam, which is a final. The test is a good amount of your grade, and for sixth graders, it’s a factor for getting into pre-algebra next year.
Sixth graders have already taken the math cumulative and have many different mixed opinions on it. Kayla Marcus, a sixth grader at EIS, prepared a lot for the math final. “I was stressed, but I prepared for a month, so I thought the final was super easy.”
Some people, like sixth grader Zach Bushanger, think that the math assessment shouldn’t count as a grade, “I think the math final is pointless and your final grade should just be your marking period average.”
Seventh graders at Edison have not yet taken their math final. Most classes haven’t prepared their students for the final yet. A lot of seventh graders have different techniques to prepare for their tests. Francessca Schwartz, a seventh grader, thinks studying the day before is the way to go. “I study the day before and hope for an average of 75.”
Other students, like seventh grader Ella Mirsky, think that studying days before helps better. “I study a couple of days before my tests.”
Overall, most of the seventh graders haven’t prepared yet for their final, but they have a good idea of what the test will be about.
Eighth graders are getting ready to move on to high school, and by the end of the year, many of them are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. After spending months working hard, studying, and taking tests, it can be tough to stay motivated, especially when they know they won’t be coming back to the same school next year. The final exams can feel like even more pressure added to an already stressful time. Chelsea Tsvirko, an eighth grader, shared her thoughts: “It’s a lot of pressure at the end of the year when we should be celebrating the success we’ve had throughout eighth grade.”
Many students agree with her. Instead of piling on more stress, this time of year could be used to reflect on everything students learned, recognize their growth, and enjoy the last moments of middle school with their friends and teachers. After all, finishing eighth grade is a big accomplishment, and students deserve to feel proud, not tired.
Ava Goodtstad, another eighth grader at EIS, also spoke about how end-of-the-year pressure affects her. “I am stressed out because at the end of the year, people lose their motivation, and I don’t want it to happen to me,” she said.
This shows that while some students already feel tired, others worry about staying focused. They don’t want to give up when they are so close to the finish line. Ava’s words connect with Chelsea’s because both notice how the stress of finals and a long school year can take away from the excitement and pride that should come with finishing middle school. Schools should recognize this and find ways to help students feel supported and not stressed during their final weeks.
Many math teachers at Edison Intermediate School teach many different classes (Advanced, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, etc.). Mrs. Marni Ginter is a sixth-grade math teacher at EIS for regular and gifted classes. She stated, “Some students are stressed in the advanced math class however, I try to explain to them by looking over old tests and study guides.”
Teachers must help students and encourage them to study, overall easing their stress.
Another math teacher at EIS, Mrs. Elizabeth Melillo, helps her students prepare similarly to how Mrs. Ginter does. Mrs. Melilo thinks that some of her students are stressed about the grade they will end up with because, in sixth grade, the final grade counts as placement for next year. Mrs. Mellilo stated, “The sixth-grade final counts for placement, but some sixth graders still are stressed. For review and preparation, my students all have homework assignments, study guides, and they can always go in for extra help.”
To conclude, since the math final continues at Edison Intermediate School, the pressure is/was felt across all grades–hether it’s sixth graders preparing for placement, seventh graders juggling different study habits, or eighth graders fighting slow end-of-the-year motivation. One clear thing is that students are feeling the weight of expectations. While math finals are meant to measure learning and prove what they have learned over the years, they also highlight the anxiety. Teachers are doing the best to support their students with many helpful resources and days of preparation in advance. In the end, finals are just one part of the journey, and students should be reminded that their effort, growth, and perseverance matter just as much as the scores they earn.
