Editor’s Note: This piece was also posted in the Benet Herald 2023 Graduation Edition.

Throughout Benet Academy’s long, storied tradition, one question has been asked repeatedly by thousands of students while walking the hallowed halls of our school: “How am I supposed to study for first semester finals when I’m so busy doing other things leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve?” This dilemma is solved as Benet Academy has decided to move finals week to before winter break beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. This groundbreaking decision is anticipated to be a game changer as currently, students and teachers plan for the end of first semester to follow winter break. For students, having finals before the end-of-the-year two-week break will allow for continuity of education in the classroom; there will be no two weeks off from school during which many students begin to forget or lose their mastery of class knowledge and have limited access to their teachers. For teachers, the moving of first semester finals before Christmas Break allows them to schedule final review days and arrange their lesson plans to take advantage of more engaged and less distracted students. In addition to this, both groups will be able to fully enjoy the holidays with their friends and family without having the stressful planning for final exams looming over them. Overall, the switch of final exams to before winter break will be beneficial to the mental health of all involved as the stress of final exams can be alleviated by school activities: live auctions, “You’ve Been Elfed,” staying hydrated at the slushie machine, and attending one large and crazy Christmas Drive assembly.