4 weeks until exams start. Yikes. Another school year coming to an end, and for my graduating students, their last year of high school. Every year at this time, while I’m being exasperated about how my students are having so much difficulty focusing on the academics that actually passing the course is in jeopardy, I remember my own grad year.
I wasn’t focused on academics at this time of the year either. I was completely absorbed in the absolutely miraculous fact that a visitor was coming to be my grad date. Not just any boy, but The Boy. The object of 8 years obsessive adoration. After years of brief summer visits and letters, he was flying into town to spend 5 entire days with me. It was as if a lifetime of dreams was hanging on my graduation weekend. Against such heady competition, final exams faded into insignificance. Can I blame my students for their distraction? I spent the last month of my high school time in a fog of possibility. Who knew what graduation would bring? Which of my students is set to see dreams die or fly?
I am frustrated as my grade 12s struggle to get their work done amid hair appointments, gown shopping and dating discussions. I wish that doing brilliantly on their English exam was a priority, but I’m realistic too. I sigh in sympathy, because I remember far too clearly that graduation celebrations aren’t always about the grades.
I’m sympathetic, but I just hope they all pass so they don’t have to come back to me next year!
Shawn L. Bird 