Would you rather spend the weekend securing an ‘A’ on your next history test or relaxing in bed? Studying for a test during the weekends has always been a highly discussed topic. With some students loving the extra time, but some wanting a break from school, there are logical reasons for both sides of the argument. Studying on the weekends for a test on a Monday, do the costs outweigh the benefits?

Abigail Wei (‘26) explained that when teachers assign a test for a Monday, it forces students to study — or to at least look over — material on the weekends, to keep the information fresh in their brains. While this can add stress to a preferably stress-free weekend, Emmie Kao (‘25) who prefers having tests on a Monday, added, “an extra 2 days to study isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

Even though weekends are supposed to act as a break from school, many students like having these two days to study. Emmie explained that when a test is in the middle of the week, anxiety about the test tends to build up on top of the stress from homework from other classes. She explained that having a test on a Monday would allow for less stress during the school week, and having a whole day free to study would be much more beneficial than the limited time during the week.  

Emmie noted, “You’re fresher from your weekend studying, so there’s no need to stress during the week when you have more homework.” The hours after school that can be used for studying are small and limited, so when students have time on the weekends to study, it can be easy to see how more free time can be helpful. Sydney Mafong (‘26) explained, “I live far from Bishop’s, so even when I don’t have any after-school activities, I still get home pretty late.” She went on to say that she always has extracurriculars such as piano and sports practices, so having the weekend to study for a test is always helpful. 

Adrian Fong (‘29) agreed, and explained, “I think tests on Monday are a good thing, if a test is in the middle or at the end of the week, it’s easier to forget to study and I tend to study at the last minute. “I feel like I have more time to study on the weekends and I definitely study more if the test is on a Monday and I have the weekend to study.” 

But while it can be relieving to have a full day open solely dedicated to studying, this can be difficult for those who are busy on the weekends. Abigail explained, “For Monday tests, I have to study on Sunday, so the info is fresh in my brain, but my weekends are usually busy, so I don’t always have time to study.” 

Aside from being busy on the weekend, some students feel that Monday tests force them to study on the weekends and that the weekends shouldn’t be for studying. Meredith Mercado (‘26), who doesn’t like tests on a Monday, explains, “School is already a stressful part of my life, and I look forward to the weekends so I can relax…When I have to study for tests on the weekend, it takes away my personal time and my only time to rest.” Spanish teacher Mr. Gregg Luna agrees, and explains how he hates giving tests in general and especially tests on a Monday.  He says that as a former student himself, he hated studying on the weekends. 

“However as a teacher,” Mr. Luna says, “I can tell you that if the individual or the class is not producing or not going at the pace they are supposed to be going, and you see a pattern of neglecting their studies during the week, a jolt might be necessary…” He explains that in his class, if students are reviewing their material every day, a Monday test shouldn’t put pressure on them to study for hours on the weekend, a quick look over everything would take a few minutes. “A Monday test could be a consequence of the fact that some students are not doing what they’re supposed to be doing during the week to avoid that.” 

After talking a while about both sides of the argument, Adrian laughed, “Now I think Monday tests are both good and bad,” “I think weekends should be for relaxation too….Is there an option for tests on Wednesdays?” He proposed a logical explanation, saying how if a test is halfway through the week, the student gets to choose how much time to spend studying on the weekend, “like if you have a last minute decision to relax you would still have Monday and Tuesday to study.” 

Students who prefer tests on a Monday say it’s because the weekend gives them extra study time, but those who don’t prefer say it’s because they don’t want to study during the weekend. So it seems that the preference of having tests on a Monday all comes down to one question: are the weekends a chance to catch up on school work, or a chance to relax? 

While students always look forward to the weekend because they get a break from school, most end up doing school work anyways. Abigail laughed, “When I’m not studying for a test, I’m catching up on homework, and when I’m not catching up on homework,I’m trying to get ahead.” Especially at an academically rigorous school, there is a constant cycle of trying to stay on top of work, making the weekends become a time to catch up on school, instead of sleeping or relaxing. 

Sydney added that she feels as if doing schoolwork on the weekends is a given. It isn’t because all of her friends do it, but because she feels the need to. “During the first semester, it was super hard, and I was playing catch up because everything piled up…So I work ahead on weekends so I don’t have to stress about it during the week.” Abigail added, “It’s totally by choice. I find myself enjoying working ahead. It feels nice to have less homework during the school week.” 

As a highschool student, it’s hard to find a balance between school life and personal life, and with no defined balance, both sides of the argument have its benefits. The negatives don’t outweigh the positives, because it all depends on what the student wants their weekends to look like.