As the end of the school year approaches, so does the time for last-minute cramming and long review sessions all in the name of final exams. But for some students, the last week of regular classes is also filled with preparation for the UIL state competitions, which will be held May 26-28 at University of Texas at Austin.

“We have made accommodations for students who will be missing final exams to compete at UIL,” Principal Chris Mayfield said. “We actually have several groups that this can potentially impact. These groups include our academic UIL and some of our choir, orchestra, and band students competing in UIL state Solo and Ensemble competition.”

The students that will miss finals will take their finals before or after the competition.

“We have asked teachers to work with these student to give students flexibility on when they take their finals,” Mayfield said. “By allowing students to take them early, they will not have to try and make up a large number of exams when they return.”

There were rumors that students that made it to state in academics would not have to take any finals they would miss, but that was nothing more than a rumor.

“I did not consider exempting students because the semester exam has such a significant weight on their final grade,” Mayfield said. “We don’t exempt students from other exams throughout the year when they miss school for academic, fine arts, or athletic reasons.”

The timing of UIL and finals, combined with AP testing has led some students to feel effects of a time crunch.

“I have had to spend less time studying for the AP Human Geography exam than I would like,” debate student and freshman Anna Rouse said. “Normally, I would be able to spread my studying out more, but this year it’s been more condensed due to UIL.”

As well as trying to cram in study times, students are preparing for their various events at state.

“Not only am I practicing for my event, but I am also studying for the exams I have to take early,” Rouse said. “It’s exhausting.”