Alexa Heffele is author of next 2015-2016 MLHS senior student editorial
My Attention is All Yours
Teachers strive to have their students pass their class, but a lot of students finish the class with little knowledge of what was taught to them because of the rapid pace at which the subject was taught. Having great knowledge of what was taught to you is more important than good grades because, in time of need, you can look back and still have definite knowledge of the specific subject.
In a time of desperation, students may use their last resort to pass the big test – cheating. Even if students study in the time given – with no actual understanding of the topic – they go into panic mode. Well aware of the consequences they will face if caught, they then reach for the smallest piece of paper they see, and begin to copy down their notes. Students get frustrated and worked up because they fear the teacher will deny them help if he or she finds out that they cheated on their test. So, they keep quiet and hope that they understand the next subject.
If students have had a bad day – or a hard time understanding the topic – they have a high chance of failing the test. Students then feel even more distressed due a bad grade on the test; and even more so when the teacher moves on to the next topic. This is a problem students may relate to because they are still trying to grasp the last subject – while the teacher is in a whole new dimension. Try to picture it as a domino effect – when students fail one subject, there is a chance they will not understand the next subject. Soon enough, they are on the verge of failing the whole class – while being hounded by other due dates from other classes. For these students, everything is falling apart.
Have you ever felt stressed for an upcoming due date on a subject about which you have no clue? A study completed by Ms. Benac from Huffington Post, found that 85% of students felt stressed due to their grades and other schoolwork. At the same time, the remaining 15% felt depressed – or even helpless – because of the large amount of schoolwork given to them in a short period of time. Teachers cram in tests to make sure they have covered the strict curriculum they must follow. All of these due dates are way too close for students because they have other classes to worry about on top of the due date, and many struggle to understand the subject before the deadline.
All students want is for someone to understand that they do not comprehend a particular topic of the curriculum, so they need help. I believe we should all stop and think about what we need to know, and figure out how to accomplish these goals so that every student pass their classes. If students and teachers come together and help each other, it could may studying for strenuous tests easier. Also, teachers should set goals that will benefit their students, instead of making them go into panic mode. To have students understand the subject, and then move on to the next challenge with confidence should be more important than the grade earned.