Finals are getting closer and closer. In fact, our last day before Christmas break is Dec. 17, so that makes finals one week away. It seems like finals tend to sneak up on us.

Finals should not be cumulative tests. Around this time of year, cramming for a huge test is the last thing most of us would like to do. It is hard enough studying for a test over a single chapter. Studying for a test compiled of multiple chapters is a daunting task. Without a study guide for your final, it is nearly impossible to study for all the right things. Studying alone is a stressful experience for many. When being faced with a final that covers so many different areas, some might find it impossible to study at all.

Some teachers do not even give you back your tests to study for finals. If a student does not know what he or she did wrong on their tests, there is no way to know which areas need the most work. In order to study effectively for a test, you must know your strengths and weaknesses. If you are not aware of your weakness, you could spend hours studying something that doesn’t need any improvement when you could be focusing on something you struggled with. I think the answer to this problem is regular chapter tests. Instead of testing students over everything they’ve learned over a semester’s time, finals should be treated as a run of the mill test.