As finals week approaches, many teachers are using seasonal decorations as a way to boost student morale.
From twinkling string lights to a holiday bush, holiday ornaments can make classrooms feel more welcoming. They also serve as a way for students to share different traditions and connect with their peers.
“Decorations are just something to make it feel more cozy. It makes you feel a little bit more comfortable, and students learn better,” Advanced Placement (AP) Seminar teacher Emily van Sebille said.
This year, van Sebille set up a holiday bush alongside her hanging lights and posters. The holiday bush is a miniature artificial tree, whose name is borrowed from van Sebille’s pagan stepmother.
“I liked the idea of a holiday bush because I don’t want it to feel limiting. It’s not only Christmas, but it’s the holiday season,” van Sebille said.
To decorate the bush, she encouraged students to bring in their own ornaments or other trinkets to be displayed.
Physics teacher Gregory Fung also decorated his classroom with festive pieces, a tradition he has upheld for over two decades. His room boasts a 50-meter string of lights and a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, as well as a fireplace displayed on the smartboard.
“During the final exam, my holiday tradition is to always have a fireplace video. It’s kind of kitschy, but fun,” Fung said.
Both van Sebille and Fung hope to use festive decorations to promote inclusivity and raise student spirit. This is particularly significant as students prepare for the heightened pressure of finals week.
Sophomore Alina Robinson is taking many rigorous courses, including AP Seminar. She noted that despite the decrease in tests and homework, the stress about finals has a negative effect on her mental health.
“Towards the end of the year, when you’ve already gone through a whole semester of tests, you feel done. So once finals roll around, you’re burnt out and have extra anxiety,” Robinson said.
However, she found that teachers’ decorations have created a more relaxed atmosphere.
“Some teachers have taken the initiative to make their classroom more festive in order to lift up holiday spirits,” Robinson said. “I definitely think that it improves morale and decreases stress levels because the whole concept of the holidays brings calmness to people.”
Although it may seem like a few small pieces of decor, seasonal pieces can make classrooms more inviting and provide students with a break from the pressure of finals week.
“I tried to set up my room in a way that feels more homey and less clinical, in order to help decrease some of the stress levels,” van Sebille said.
