WOODBURY– When spring finally shows up, the timing could not be more confusing. Warm weather, blue skies, and sunny afternoons arrive just as students face finals, AP exams, and end of year projects. Hallways fill with talk of test dates and study guides, even as the fields outside fill with students trying to enjoy a few minutes of sunshine. For many it’s the strangest season of all, a time when stress and relief exist side by side.
“The spring time is a really stressful time for me because I start lacrosse in the spring and have two AP tests, not to mention I am a junior so I have to take finals,” said junior Jadyn Heron, a NHS athlete. “It’s hard to manage sports with having what feels like a test every other week.”
For many students, spring sports and exams create a difficult balance between enjoying the season and keeping up with academic pressure. While some students feel overwhelmed by packed schedules, others struggle to stay motivated as the warmer weather makes schoolwork harder to focus on.
“With the weather getting warmer I procrastinate more because I am done sitting inside doing school work, I just want to go out with my friends,” Heron added. “I just want to be a teenager and enjoy what years I have left.”
At the same time, some students feel that constantly pushing themselves academically and athletically leaves little room to enjoy being a teenager.
“I push myself with my classes, so I only take AP and honor classes, I am also a part of the Writing Center UCONN ECE so everyday is packed,” junior Cash Medonis, NHS athlete commented. “On top of that, I play two sports, so I have things to do all the time and never get a break. It feels like I don’t have the stereotypical teen years because of everything I do.”
Injuries, extracurricular activities, and the pressure of AP testing can make spring especially exhausting for upperclassmen preparing for the end of the school year.
“This time of year is very difficult because not only do I have track and meets but I also have my AP classes that I have to study for and take exams in,” senior Veronika Nicholas, NHS track athlete explained.
As the year went on, managing both a demanding track schedule and challenging AP coursework became even more complicated for Nicholas, especially when an unexpected setback changed her season.
“This season I got hurt so I’ve had to balance helping out the team and going to doctor’s appointments and making time to study for my exams which has been difficult and quite stressful,” Nicholas reflects. “I would definitely rather be outside by the beach when the senioritis kicks in. When the weather gets nice everybody is more anxious to graduate.”
As the school year winds down and students are left balancing study guides, sports schedules, and dream of summer freedom. Even with the stress, many agree that spring is a reminder to enjoy the little moments with friends before another school year comes to an end. After all, finals may be temporary, but the countdown to summer lasts forever.
