Bishop Guertin midterms: Stress tests

Here’s a riddle for you: What’s black and white and red all over? A failed midterm exam, a high school student’s worst nightmare; and starting Tuesday, every student at Bishop Guertin High School will be worrying about these dreaded exams. The idea of midterm exams has existed in schools of higher education forever, but as time has gone by, is it still the most effective way to measure a student’s progress and education in a class? Midterm examinations are an unbelievably stressful event for students, especially at Bishop Guertin. Never mind studying for the six to seven exams that count for much of your final grade for the course and the entire school year, teachers are cramming in other tests, quizzes and projects to finish lessons and textbook chapters before the semester ends. And unlike finals, when all of the school activities are finished or coming to a close, during the week of midterms, students are preparing for winter sports, club competitions and plays. Students are lucky to have time to breathe. Different age groups have to struggle with different aspects of exams week, too. Freshmen are taking semester exams for the first time. “I’m a little nervous because I’ve never had midterms before,” freshman Alissa Zajac said. “I’m not sure how much to study of what, so it’s pretty stressful.” Concerning harder midterms for Advanced Placement courses, junior Anna Hack said, “I’m very stressed and nervous.