On March 19th, South Windsor High School juniors will take the lengthy and important SAT exam, which requires students’ full focus. Although this test is occurring, South Windsor High School is still requiring the junior class to attend classes after the exam.
The SAT is arguably the most crucial test of a student’s education as it can impact their success later in life. Knowing this, juniors have to put all of their time and effort into preparing, to ensure a score that will guide them further on their path to achievement. Hours are put into studying, and then once the date arrives, students spend approximately three hours straining, and exhausting themselves.
During this time of year, there is still a plethora of school work which is being assigned to juniors, even though the SAT is just around the corner.
“I want to do well on the exams, but it’s been hard balancing the preparation with school work I have been doing,” junior Mya Romaniw said.
Students like Romaniw make it clear that it’s not necessarily the fact that there is school work given, but mainly the balancing factor that makes these times hard.
Juniors should be given more time to prepare for the test, rather than completing difficult assessments for classes that don’t have nearly the same effect that the SAT has on a student’s success in life.
“I’m upset we have classes after the test though, all of us are going to be exhausted, so I would prefer it if we were able to go home early and get a break afterward,” Romaniw told the Prowl.
With the tremendous amount of work and effort that gets put into studying for the SAT, the Junior class should be allowed a break without penalty. This is a factor that may not seem extreme, but can greatly affect how one may perceive the exam day.
If students knew about the break they get after taking the exam, it likely will provide them some relief knowing that they don’t need to do immoderate amounts of work that day.
I’m upset we have classes after the test though, all of us are going to be exhausted…
— junior Mya Romaniw
Unfortunately, juniors do not get this opportunity. Students taking the SAT are still required to attend two classes after taking the test.
The students who are deciding to leave and go home after the test are punished with an absence, which may not seem extreme but can still impact students.
Additionally, the students who have no choice but to stay will be worn out.
“I think it would only be fair if juniors were able to leave early, because juniors are the ones taking the SATs. I wouldn’t say I’m totally upset about having classes after the SATs, I’m just confused as to why the juniors are required to go to class after taking a long test,” junior Kristina Le commented.
As Le emphasized, the SAT is an intense assessment that has the potential to have a significant impact on a student’s future. That idea is already terrifying for some students, and then to add on another three or four hours of alternate school work can also instill anxiety.
Juniors should be given the opportunity to rest after putting forth their best work on a test that is weighted so heavily.
