With midterms on the horizon, students have been preparing in a multitude of ways. Some students spend time studying in the Learning Center, others in forum, at home or even in local coffee shops.
One option available to students studying is attending Cookies and Cram, which will take place at the high school on Monday, Dec. 16. Cookies and Cram is run by the high school’s student class officers, with the goal of providing cookies and giving students a place to study with friends.
Junior Natalie Meyer plans to attend Cookies and Cram with friends as well as study on her own.
“I’ll probably go over all the notes I took in class and go over review guides and ask my teachers questions,” she said.
However, not all students prefer the group atmosphere of Cookies and Cram.
“I’m not [going to Cookies and Cram] because I feel like I study and focus better when I’m by myself and not surrounded by friends,” sophomore Ellen Wen said.
Junior Will Fitkin prefers studying at school because of the focused environment.
“I think that studying at school is the best because it’s quiet because it helps me focus. If I’m at home it’s hard for me to study,” he said.
Fitkin is in charge of the math Peer Tutoring program, which provides support for struggling students in room W3301.
“[The goal is to] help people who are mainly in Algebra II and below to help pass their class. Because that’s a big gatekeeper to
graduating high school. I think that’s the class that’s failed the most,” Fitkin said.
Fitkin said that the number of students needing tutors has been increasing as the year goes on, and the number will most likely come to a peak right before midterms.
“More people have been showing up later in the year. At the beginning of the year there’s basically no one, but as the year progresses [the number increases],” Fitkin said.
Another option for students as midterms inch closer is the Learning Center. LC secretary Erin Schumacher has noticed more studying students as the midterm season approaches.
“I think overall there are students who are studying more diligently. I think it’s very nice that Ms. Viau has made the second floor a more collaborative space where people can talk, and then it’s great that we have the third floor which I happen to be assigned to now, where students can study and it’s a quiet space,” Schumacher said.
Whether studying in the LC, at home or with a peer tutor, students have many options when it comes to preparing for the exams. In a stressful time, the students of UAHS are undoubtedly working hard.
