With the new semester just beginning, a new schedule has taken effect. It extends class length, adding 10 minutes to every in-person class, and removes finals week from the end of the semester.
Though the extended classes are little more than a minor headache, removing finals week could be a serious detriment to both students and professors alike. By removing the extra week set aside to prepare for finals, students will be forced to adapt to the added pressure – or drown in it.
The new schedule also introduced increased class length. I spoke to Las Positas College. student Alex Navarro, who had very little to say about the extra 10 minutes required in class.
“Well, to be honest, I don’t mind,” said Navarro. “I didn’t notice the extra few minutes at all.”
Other students and professors I spoke with had similar thoughts on the new schedule. Though the extended class times were of little concern, the removal of finals week was quite the opposite.
Students are losing 96 in- class hours of available study time for finals, potentially setting them back an entire semester. Students worry that without the hours of preparation finals week afforded them, they will not be able to perform.
“I don’t know,” said LPC student Autumn Cowan, “having a designated finals week, I have more time and can put more energy into the finals without having to worry about other classwork.”
The professors I spoke with had similar thoughts, though with a more optimistic outlook for finals season.
“It’s hard to say, I see how it wouldn’t work well for certain courses, like STEM,” said LPC Sociology Professor Akihiko Hirose. “Though I believe it can be done.”
Both students and professors are worried about the added pressure that students will feel during finals season, especially for intensive classes.
The removal of finals week is a serious mistake, adding unnecessary pressure and stress to an already intense time of year for students. It would not be surprising if the change resulted in, students underperforming during finals and possibly failing their class.
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TOP PHOTO: LPC announced the upcoming fall semester will be two weeks shorter, ending on Dec. 11 and stripping away finals weeks. Winter Intersession will therefore be two weeks later.
Zach Lewis is a staff writer for The Express. Follow them on Instagram @someguynamed_zach.
