“Mom, can you run me to Shannon’s house? I have to get Mr. Miller’s review notes from her.”
“Dad, I’m running up to school. I forgot my biology book and need it to prepare for Thursday’s final exam!”
“Hey, I am going to Mitchell’s house. We’re having a study group until 11:00 tonight.”
These are not the cheerful sounds of holiday music and children’s laughter we used to associate with this time of year. Having teenagers means seeing your children dash to study groups and the library in December instead of helping decorate the tree and go caroling. As adults buy gifts, decorate yards, and write Christmas cards, teens have to buy study guides, create flash cards, and write practice essays.
I’m not suggesting doing away with final exams nor do I want them moved to another time of year; however, I would like to figure out a way to stretch out the days in December to allow students the much-needed time to prepare for and take exams and still have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday festivities. As students get older, they start to accept the responsibility of studying while the rest of the family is watching Christmas specials of TV, but for freshmen, their first high school Christmas can be a disappointment. Parents need to schedule family traditions around study time and encourage their teens to break up their studying so they will not cram for three exams all in one long night. Encourage your children to break down this daunting task. Show them how to schedule so many hours or minutes each evening for certain classes. Have them start creating flashcards or completing study guides the day they get that teacher’s review instead of procrastinating. If they have not received study guides from their teachers at least a week before the exam, call them up and ask for one. Some teachers put them on their web sites before handing out copies and others will have the review sheets on hand but have just not passed them out yet, so they could give one to your child ahead of time. If the teacher does not make a review sheet/packet, make sure your child takes copious notes about what to study and you may want to call the teacher if your teen is a poor note taker. Suggest focusing on two courses each day for an entire week before the exams. (This may require you to call the teachers of the classes your child is struggling in to get a copy of the review extra early.) Quiz your child so he/she does not feel so lonely. If he/she is constantly studying with friends, allow for a study session at your home so you can monitor it and ensure they are actually studying effectively.
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