Anyone who has ever gone to Xavier can all agree on one thing: midterms are stressful. Many can recall the last minute cramming at 8:14 AM right before Mr. Ceretta comes on for the Monday morning announcements. We can also all agree on how invigorating it feels to hear the bell signaling the end of the last midterm day. However, there are some things that we disagree on, such as the week during which midterms take place. Some like that they take place during the week right before vacation, while others wish that they would be moved back to the original date of after midterms.

Nick Ericson, a freshman, had these views on his first midterms here at Xavier High School.

Kestrel: Do you like having midterms before or after break
Nick: I like having them after break.
K: Did your teachers cram tests in the week before midterms?
Nick: No they did not.
K: Did your teachers review with your classes?
Nick: Only one to two out of seven teachers really reviewed.

Next, I interviewed Austin Fortier, a junior.
Kestrel: Your thoughts about midterms before break.
Austin: Love it, you get the whole break to rest and not think about school.
K: Do you think the teachers cram tests before the midterms?
Austin: Some teachers cram tests in while doing no review, and others never even give those tests back to study.
K: Do you think these three weeks give you a chance to bring up those last lagging grades?
Austin: For me at least this year, no. For some it could possibly help.

I then interviewed Aaron Ginty, a current senior.

Kestrel: Your thoughts about midterms before break.
Aaron: They are better than midterms after break due to the fact that knowledge of the first semester goes away during the break, and you have to relearn the material during the few weeks in January before the midterms
K: Do you feel that your teachers crammed in tests before break?
Aaron: No, I do not feel that the teachers crammed tests before the break.
K: Do you think that your teachers gave you ample review and also provided with study packets?
Aaron: Yes, my teachers did review and I did have a good amount of information to study from for my midterms.

Finally, I interviewed one last student, who wished to remain anonymous

Kestrel: Would you like to have the midterms before or after break?
A: After
K: Do you think that your teachers crammed in tests before the midterm?
A: Absolutely, tests and quizzes days before midterm.
K: Do you feel that your teachers reviewed enough?
A: No, I do not feel that they reviewed enough.

The consensus about midterms seems somewhat mixed. Some feel that that teachers reviewed adequately, others felt that there was a paucity of review material. Some people liked when the midterms took place this year, others did not. In all, it can be agreed upon that midterms are a stressful time for all. I can speak for everyone in saying that we are all relieved that they are behind us.