If you give a mouse a cookie, he’ll want a glass of milk. In a similarly greedy fashion, if you give students finals before winter break, they’ll want half-days. The only difference in these two scenarios is that one is a rodent’s reasonable request, while the other is a criticism made by insatiable students looking for a reason to complain. Clearly, for some students, their “cookie” is not enough.

Personally, I’m okay with not having half-days for all but the last day of finals week. For starters, it gives me a chance to review and study for the finals I will be having later that day or even the day after.  If students use their time wisely during these “unnecessary” periods, they could eliminate the need to study when they get home, leaving the evening completely open for other activities. Sometimes the these periods are used for review, which is beneficial for students who have already checked out until next semester and would not ordinarily spend their time studying.

The state of Texas requires that school districts provide at least 180 days of instruction for students. By requiring us to attend a full day during finals week, we avoid having to attend a full day of school at other times, such as on Leopard Friday in September, the early release day we had on October 12, or on other upcoming early release days such as December 21. These full days during finals even allow us to take full days off of school for upcoming holidays or teacher work days such as January 21, March 29, April 12, or May 27. (Click here for a link to the full district calendar.)

The use of normal school days also allows time to have class holiday parties, something that is admittedly semi-enjoyable. If nothing else, they at least serve as an excuse to eat delicious treats made by generous classmates and maybe even participate in a white elephant gift exchange.

No matter your opinion on the lack of half-days during finals week, don’t criticize the administration. They have already proved to be more than willing to discuss policy changes and take student and teacher opinions into high consideration. Just this time last year, finals were scheduled for after winter break—a decision that was changed after evaluating alternative scheduling to benefit the student body. All it takes to make a change is a voice, albeit not an irrationally critical one.

While I am not denying the potential convenience of half-days (Not to mention the suspicion of an underground conspiracy in which the school is in nasty cahoots with Sonic to ensure students never make it in time for Happy Hour at any and all costs), the full days are only 3 and a half hours of more school which, if we’re being honest, will probably be filled with nothing other than Christmas cookies and leisurely reviews, so, why complain? Just relax and enjoy the cookie, both literal and metaphorical.

See the student and faculty reaction to the finals changes