It’s 1:25 pm on the Friday of Finals Week. You push up out of the plastic chair that you have been sitting in for the past hour, walk up to the front of the classroom, and place the finished math exam on your teacher’s desk. “Thank you,” you say.  Stress releases from your shoulders as you realize that the test you have been stressing about is finally over. You stand up and begin towards the classroom door, ready to get out and enjoy your stress-free life. “Hold on, you can’t leave yet. You must stay for the entire finals period,” your teacher shouts. You head back to your seat and sit in silence.

This year, a new requirement has been set for upper school finals week. All students must stay in their class for the entirety of the period rather than have the freedom to go study outside of class. 

Yes, this is only my second year in high school, but I know that students would benefit from the ability to leave behind the stress within the classroom.

For starters, a classroom can contain some negative energy. The tension, the anxiety, the collective sighs of relief, mingled with the occasional frustrated groan—it’s all part of the final exam experience. However, forcing students to stay within the four walls of the classroom can elongate the stressful feeling and distract them from moving forward.

Moreover, the rigid confinement of a single space restricts students from feeling comfortable while studying. Each student has their own needs and wants while studying. Some feel the most productive in a quiet environment, while others like to have their friends help them stay focused. 

By compelling students to stay within the classroom, the community risks imposing on independence and academic success. 

The idea that students must stay glued to their desks for the entire finals period sends a message that breaks the luxuries and earnings of finishing an exam. Students should be able to have the niceties of leaving the room once the test is turned in, as this maintains optimal cognitive function and overall mental health. 

While keeping students in the room during finals week ensures academic integrity and supervision, it’s important to consider the unintended consequences. 

By creating an environment that promotes flexibility, autonomy, and independence, students would feel more support in their academic endeavors and help alleviate the stress and anxiety often paired with final exams.