As the 2014-15 school year is coming to a close, Flucos are getting anxious to burst out of the school’s steel doors and into the sunshine. However, before they can get to all of the fun summer has to offer, they have to power through exams and standardized testing. To many, this is crunch time like no other, but to others it is their final days of high school, and they are soaking it up.

While students are counting down the days until summer begins, they also need to remember to finish strong. Doing your best until the very end is a necessity. “I have three SOLs and one final exam this year, so I cannot even think about summer until after I finish them,” said freshman Newlin Humphrey.

With testing the week of May 12 to May 19, students are feeling the pressure. This is a time of stress and cramming for many students as they try to review everything they have learned throughout the year. “It’s really hard because I want to study hard and finish the school year well,  but summer is so close I can’t seem to focus on anything else,” said sophomore Cassie Kingsley. This is especially a problem as the weather gets nicer, and students find themselves thinking of things beyond math formulas.

However, the end of the year also brings fun activities, especially for seniors. This year, celebrating their final days, the senior class is going to Six Flags for their senior trip on May 15 and to a senior picnic on May 20 at Graves Mountain Lodge. These fun events help to keep seniors excited about their final days of high school. “I’m exempt from most of my exams this year, so I’m excited to finally be able to just relax and enjoy my final weeks,” said senior Cara Wissinger. “I’m really excited for all of the senior activities this year, because that’s how I want to remember high school: Doing fun things with my best friends,” she added.

Through all the stress of the last few weeks, teachers are doing their best to help their students. Many teachers offer extra credit to students looking to put in extra work to pull their grades up. Some teachers also offer incentives to do well on exams, such as a pizza or ice cream party if everyone passes. These are very helpful to students as they offer them ways to help themselves and have motivation. These also help because they get students to support each other and strive to do well as a whole, instead of just as individuals.

If there is one thing that FCHS students need to remember towards the end of the year, it is that hard work pays off. If you work hard up until the very end, it will shine through whatever tests or projects you have done. Students need to remember that slacking off will only hurt themselves in the long run, but doing their best can benefit them in ways that can’t even imagine. Finish strong Flucos!