Following spring break, May can be an extremely taxing time for juniors. Between constant assignments, SATs and AP exams, some may find their schedules conflicted by a multitude of academic and personal needs. Specifically, Prom and SAT both happen on back-to-back days, so a handful of students have found themselves in a dilemma about whether to take the May SAT or go to Prom. Scheduling conflicts are a source of considerable tension for most students, but fortunately, there are ways to counteract them.
For students attending Prom and taking the SAT soon after, preparation is critical. They can strike a balance between their social and academic lives and be ability to decompress during Prom instead of panicking about their exams.
“I try to focus on studying a few weeks before Prom week because it’ll get busy, and I won’t have time to lock in,” junior Sebastian Alonso noted.
In addition, since Prom happens in the evening, students who attend Prom might find themselves at a testing disadvantage compared to students who did not participate, potentially having less energy and preparation time.
“People are going to get home late and [have] less time to study. People are going to be tired in the morning, and it will be a struggle for them to take the test [because] it is hard to focus when you’re tired,” Alonso observed.
The ability to compromise in this predicament matters because neither a student’s academic nor social life should be neglected. Having a developed social life can positively impact a student’s mental health and sense of belonging, while tending to academic factors is nonetheless more relevant in the long term.
“As juniors, we have to worry about college apps next year, and we want to get SATs over with as soon as possible, especially with summer coming up,” junior Nehaan Kallepalli stated.
Amid the stress, juniors must find the balance between short-term enjoyment and focusing on the future. However, if going to Prom and taking the SAT at the same time is not feasible, some students might instead forgo Prom to improve their SAT performance.
“Going to Prom is not a bad idea, but…you are going to have to wake up early again, you’re going to have to plan those things out, so it is kinda difficult,” Kallepalli remarked.
Alternatively, students can reschedule the SAT for another day. Although rescheduling incurs a minor cancellation fee, taking the SAT on a different date can be beneficial, allowing the opportunity to enjoy one of the most anticipated events of the year in greater relaxation.
“I changed the date of my SAT because I knew Prom was the day before, and I did not want to miss the experience,” junior Siri Makam explained.
Whether students choose to skip Prom, take the SAT at a later time or do both in May, their decision comes down to personal preference, particularly influenced by their goals and social commitments. Preparing for the future and socializing are both important in distinct ways, and MRHS thoroughly hopes its student body attains both academic and social prosperity.