Finals are the most stressful thing. They are more stressful than any chapter test, any speaking quiz in Spanish, any group project, more stressful than any school deadline. Why? Because you can work your butt off through out the duration of the semester, stuff all the information for that one test in your short term memory, and blow it because of one test. One terrifying test.
Don't get me wrong I completely understand the point of finals. I understand that the whole point of the course was to learn the information, and the test is supposed to prove that you learned it, and you deserve the credit. Though, I have a terrible time testing, and I usually make a 70 on my finals. I know that's not terrible, but a 70 drop your semester average like 5 points.
What's really annoying though, is the teacher who will not give you a nice black and white review of what they expect on the test. The ones that pretty much hand you a packet that has a list of titles in every chapter. The ones that say, "I want you to pick out the important stuff." Well I have a question, if you already know the important stuff, if you are the one administering the test, why can't you just tell me?! Why make me guess? Why make me over cram for your test, enabling me from sufficiently studying for another? It's completely pointless and makes me want to dig a hole and climb into it.
Also, the teachers who just give you practice problems can end up being completely problematic. (no pun intended) I mean I can understand if they are specific ones the teacher wants make sure you can do, but if they are just copy and pasted from old test and, "may be similar to those on the final" don't waste my time. Don't give me busy work around finals. IT DOESN'T HELP. IT DOESN'T MAKE ME WANT TO STUDY FOR YOUR TEST ANY HARDER. IT DOESN'T MAKE ME PREPPED FOR YOUR DANG TEST.
What I do like, is the teacher (which I have only one this year) that administers a review that is not only the exact questions, but in the exact order as the final. These are the teachers I want to throw a party for. These are the teachers who understand school, and how sometimes when it comes to giant tests, knowing the general information. It isn't fair to those who are bad testers to try to trick them into over studying. It's not helpful, it's stressful and just down right WRONG.
