To some Williston students, the three-week period between Thanksgiving and the holiday break is the most stressful and busy time of the year.

It is the start of the winter trimester at Williston and there is plenty to learn and limited time for teachers to teach before we all leave campus once again. This year, holiday break starts Dec. 20 and goes until January 6.

It depends on the class and teacher, but some teachers even try to cram entire units of information into the limited class time. Tests typically happen every two to three weeks; therefore, every student is bound to have a test or a project.

Aidan Bourbonnais ’20, doesn’t feel stress from the trimester so far but instead is worried about her college process. She expressed that her workload seems to be around the same as last term but that she is getting accustomed to her new classes.

Aidan is applying to Springfield College, where she has committed to play field hockey. She hopes to be accepted to the PA [Physician Assistant] program and will find out soon.

Monique Conroy, a long-time math teacher at Williston, doesn’t vary the amount of work given just because of the limited time.

“I just know that the last week of the three before break is usually filled with teachers giving tests in the kids’ other classes,” she said. “I don’t give tests just for the sake of giving tests, if we come to the end of the chapter then I will,” she emphasized.

Ava Larkin ’22 doesn’t believe that teachers are giving more work right now.

“Things are just starting up and there aren’t too many tests and quizzes,” she continued. “I know of two tests I’m going to have before break though, which is stressful.”

Sumner Kissane ’21 feels that material is crammed into these three weeks.

“Teachers cram a little bit,” he said.

Julia Borden ’22 is definitely feeling the stress of trimester two.

“Right now, I definitely feel more stressed than I did in trimester one. I feel like some of my teachers are trying to fit all the information in before break so we can take a test or quiz” she said. Julia has “one graded discussion, one written test, and one oral exam” that she knows of so far.