For QO students, second semester brings several changes to redirect daily routine, attitude, and priorities. As summer slowly approaches, each class makes adjustments to pass the time.

To some, a new semester may be nothing but another beginning to endure until a vacation. “It’s more work, and new teachers,” said junior Nick Schneider. “It’s kind of just a boring cycle that repeats itself.” Schneider said he achieves more in school “first and third quarter, when I tell myself I’m going to try hard. Then I lose sight of my goal and don’t do anything.”

A reward such as summer vacation that marks the end of this semester is likely to challenge school focus. “The second semester is always harder for focusing on school work. By now you’re just sick of school and know that summer’s just around the corner,” said junior Alex Marrow. “New schedules can be a refreshing change but it’s also very stressful.” Maryland’s ever-changing weather status also plays an important role in students’ summer-state of mind. “The first quarter of the second semester is always a drag because it’s in the middle of winter but by the second quarter, it’s starting to get warmer out and I’m excited for summer.”

According to sophomore Arpine Baghadasarian, the fresh start can help more than hurt. “There are new teachers that don’t hate me yet. Nothing’s bad about it,” she said. “Last year I did better second semester, because in the beginning of freshmen year, you’re still getting used to everything.”

While freshmen, sophomores, and juniors struggle to concentrate on studies, seniors enjoy a little more freedom to lessen personal expectations. “It’s the shortest semester we have,” said senior Michelle Nguyen, who remarked with slight sarcasm, “Soon we won’t get to see our little underclassman friends anymore.”

Since many seniors will soon graduate and make a new start more pressing than schedule changes, second semester becomes a time to stay connected with high school friends while it is still convenient. Whether it is college, trade school, or alternative choices, it is only a matter of time before the transition separates friends from one another. “I see it as the last couple of months to be the closest with your friends before everyone goes off to a different school, and you become completely foreign to them,” said senior Sacha Sorrell. “I don’t really see it as a time to slack off, but we all do it, and hopefully not to the extreme.”

While each class enters a world of change, only time and work ethic can ease the early-welcomed summer fever.