Finals week, a time of self-reflection for all students in one way or another, is drawing to a close.

“Finals are definitely important because they help you remember stuff that you learned earlier in the year,” said junior Michelle Franke.

Franke said that semester exams were especially important for Advanced Placement classes.

“If you review it now, you have more experience when you take the test in May,” said Franke. “Since it’s timed, you learn to manage your time better.”

Not everyone shares Franke’s appreciation for finals.

Junior Emma Bittner said that, for her, the entire week is overshadowed by the exams’ challenge.

“Exams are in no way enjoyable for me,” said Bittner. “They’re difficult and there’s so much work to do in so little time. It’s just one week where you have to take seven massive exams and it’s just horrible to study for.”

This semester’s finals week was different from those of the past. Bittner and Franke noticed that the exam study planning worksheet usually given to students during homeroom a few weeks before finals was not given. Franke found this to be a great disappointment.

“I feel like we’re in high school and we’re supposed to be responsible, but at the same time, we need that last little push at the end of the semester like: ‘Hey, you think you have a ton of time, but it’s really closer than you think,’” Franke said.

Bittner agreed, admitting that though she never used the worksheet, “it was nice to get the heads up that we should start reviewing stuff.”

This year’s first semester finals week brought another novelty: Cocoa and Cram. Cocoa and Cram was an opportunity for freshmen to get help studying for exams from Link Crew leaders.

Link Crew leader Aj Minucci described Cocoa and Cram as a “quick, easy way to help out freshmen looking for a thinking-tank they can study in,” and said it “gave leaders more opportunity to get to know their link crew kids.”

“I would say it was a great experience, and I hope it was helpful,” Link Crew leader Sam Frederick said. “I think it’s so mutually beneficial – for both link leaders and freshmen – it should happen more often; maybe we could do it outside of studying for finals.”

Link Crew leader Nathan Eggenberger agreed, saying, “I am proud of the turnout on both ends, and I sincerely hope this becomes a tradition here at our school.”