Senior projects are well underway across English classrooms on the third floor. Students are rushing to complete assignments and presentations before due dates. Some are already falling behind. It is important to ask, is the stress of the project worth it? Students were split on that. Some saw the worth in it, while others thought that it put more on their plate than needed. With college applications and other classes, adding the project to the workload seemed like too much to take.
Eva Kennedy, a senior in Mr. Kevin Dalton’s English class, when asked whether senior projects are important, said, “I guess. I’m not crazy about it but I understand why we should do them.” She also wants to change her project idea because she thinks that she could have thought of something better.
Greta Roche, a senior in Ms. Christina Lawrence’s English class said, “I think that senior projects are a waste of time because they are too stressful. We are already dealing with college applications.” She does not want to change her project because she cannot think of anything else to do. Both students also have differing opinions on due dates. Kennedy believes that they keep her on track, but Roche says she always procrastinates up to the last second.
These opposing views bring up the question, why are senior projects a requirement to graduate, while CCAs are being phased out?
Ms. Leslie Holcroft, the senior project coordinator, often finds that students rarely want to ask her for help or even speak to her when they are having problems, though. Despite the fear surrounding visiting her room for help, she said, “It has never been my goal to stress students out… But I think adulthood is full of stressors.”
She believes that senior projects provide students with manageable stress on a small scale within the school environment. The stress felt now will lead to problem-solving and coping skills that will help in adulthood. Having people to help now encourages students to have autonomy over their own work and seek help when they need it, rather than being given a strict outline of what they need to do. She thinks that authentic communication between adults and teenagers is important to the development of a student.
“Typically when students are stressed, it is because they feel behind,” she said. “With personal projects, it is important to set personal deadlines. Setting mini deadlines helps to reduce stress. Getting in the habit of making your own personal deadlines helps,” she said, concerning student stress with deadlines. A majority of due dates are spread out across quarters one and two. Holcroft believes that making your own deadlines to reach goals is just as important as turning things in on time. When students make their deadlines, they can manage their work pace and get assignments done on time, rather than scrambling to finish something the night before.
Despite the stress students undergo with senior projects, Holcroft firmly believes they should remain a graduation requirement at NKHS. “Senior projects offer so much more than just a checkbox,” she said. She understands that the projects can be frustrating for the student body, but she also knows there is a value to them that students can’t see when in the thick of it. New skills that are important for adulthood are formed when working on projects. Mentorships and relationships in the community are fostered. Communication skills and collaboration are two big skills she sees improvement in with students from the start to the end.
Senior projects are like a view of life outside of a classroom. Stress is always there, but so is help. Holcroft wants seniors to know that it is okay to admit you are stuck and to come to ask for assistance. Her office is on the third floor, room 343 on the catwalk.
