The last day of classes for the year is always bitter sweet. It feels incredibly liberating to reach the end of class time, but then we enter the next phase of our year and the wind down. Books returned, assignments finished, students studying like mad; it’s actually one of our busier times in the school library.
The routine is shattered and it’s time to think exams. Whether they’re in-school or provincial, the finals are tough on everyone and there’s a fair amount of stress out there. It’s another learning experience for many of the students as they work out the best way to prepare in each subject. How much do they remember, and do they have to, of things learned last fall? How do they balance studying for two tests on one day? How hard will the test actually be? When will they get a chance to sleep?? There’s so much to do and very little time to do it.
The faces in the school are about to change. Our grade 12s say good-bye and we hear all about their exciting plans for summer and fall. Our teachers look ahead to next year and learn whether they’ll be back. In these uncertain times there seems to be no guarantee. The school community may be very different come September. This is probably one of the most difficult things to adjust to.
There’s no doubt my feelings are up and down in June. I’m tired and ready for a break, but I don’t want to say good-bye to so many good people. The last day of classes is just another reminder of endings and beginnings as time goes by. Which reminds me, I better get back to work!
