Students return to school early: Better prepared for exam season

This adjustment helps senior students have time to consolidate knowledge and form a study routine before entering the new school year; thereby, better preparing for the 10th grade entrance exam and high school graduation exam.

Adjustments needed

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Diem Trang - Principal of Vo Van Kiet High School (Trung Thanh, Vinh Long ), allowing 12th grade students to return to school 2 weeks early is necessary; first of all because of the importance of the final year of school.

Grade 12 is a decisive year for students in completing the general education program, preparing for the high school graduation exam, as well as career orientation and university and college admission. More preparation time helps students have a solid start, reducing pressure when officially entering school.

After a long break, students need time to adapt to the learning environment. The first two weeks will help them stabilize their psychology, get acquainted with their homeroom teachers, friends, and final year learning methods, creating the best mindset for the new school year.

“Being able to start school early is a huge advantage for Vo Van Kiet High School. The school has 34 classes (including 13 grade 12 classes), but only 26 classrooms. Taking advantage of the “golden time” will help grade 12 have an intensive preparation period without being affected or having to compete for facilities with other grades.

This is an opportunity for the school to focus all the best resources on the students right from the beginning, carry out important activities such as high school graduation exam review and career counseling, creating psychological momentum and solid knowledge before entering the official school year with a rotating schedule," Ms. Nguyen Thi Diem Trang shared.

Supporting the adjustment in the school year schedule, Ms. Vu Thi Anh - An Thi High School (An Thi, Hung Yen ) said that when 12th graders return to school early, teachers, especially homeroom teachers, will have time to coordinate with families to orient students' careers and exam groups. The school has time to prepare to evaluate 12th graders through a survey at the beginning of the school year; thereby, helping them choose appropriate high school graduation exam subjects.

Mr. Giang Ngoc Anh - Principal of My Loc Primary and Secondary School (Dong Thai Ninh, Hung Yen) affirmed the appropriateness and necessity of letting final year students return to school early. The school will organize review sessions for students who have to retake the exam, guide them in preparing textbooks and school supplies, and organize them to do chores and clean the classrooms.

“The school has reviewed the facilities, repaired classrooms, renewed the school signs and signboards; consulted with superiors to arrange enough managers, teachers, and staff; planned to assign tasks to the team; completed enrollment work, received transfer students, made a list of students in each class... to prepare for the new school year,” Mr. Giang Ngoc Anh shared.

As a homeroom teacher of grade 9, Ms. Vu Thuy Hoa Van - Tran Duy Hung Secondary School (Yen Hoa, Hanoi ) expressed her agreement with the fact that grade 9 students can return to school two weeks early.

Entering the final year of high school, preparing for the competitive 10th grade entrance exam, returning to school early helps students get used to the study routine, stabilize their psychology after the summer vacation; at the same time, create time to review and consolidate basic knowledge.

In particular, this is an important time for homeroom teachers, families and students to set personal goals and orient their learning path in accordance with their abilities, interests and aspirations, helping them have a clear plan and determination to strive right at the beginning of the school year.

Class time at Ha Loc Secondary School (Phu Tho, Phu Tho). Photo: NTCC

Make good use of your time

From personal experience, Ms. Vu Thuy Hoa Van believes that the two weeks of early schooling should combine consolidating knowledge and building students' spirit and skills. Specifically, this time will stabilize the classroom organization by perfecting the executive committee, assigning tasks, unifying regulations, practicing living habits, creating a disciplined and cohesive learning environment.

Remind students of time management skills, self-study, test-taking, and organizing group activities to increase team spirit. Support students in choosing a suitable high school and building a long-term review roadmap. Focus on assessing the ability of Math and Literature - two compulsory subjects for grade 10; at the same time, remind students of the importance of elective subjects that will be drawn around March every year so that they can have an early review plan.

During this time, teachers can also organize seminars on topics such as effective time management, self-study skills, test-taking skills, and stress coping skills; invite former students to share their experiences in studying and passing the 10th grade entrance exam to inspire and motivate students.

Supporting the adjustment in the school year schedule, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Principal of Minh Dai High School (Minh Dai, Phu Tho) said that the school is waiting for a specific plan from the Provincial People's Committee to notify students to return to school.

If grade 12 students are allowed to return to school before the opening ceremony, the school will organize for students to participate in collective activities such as: Cleaning the school grounds, extracurricular activities on implementing school rules, traffic safety regulations, preventing school violence, survival skills, fire and drowning prevention; cultural and sports activities and career guidance activities for final year students.

“Currently, Minh Dai High School is reviewing to assign teaching and homeroom teachers; organizing the study of new documents of the Party, the State, and the industry for cadres and teachers; organizing professional groups to analyze the results of the 10th grade entrance exam and high school graduation exam to unify the content and appropriate teaching methods.

The school also organized for staff and teachers to learn some software to use in the new school year; assigned teachers to review and test students who had to retake the exam and students who changed subjects," Mr. Nguyen Van Hung informed.

According to the plan of Vo Van Kiet High School, according to Principal Nguyen Thi Diem Trang, in the two weeks of early school opening, the school will arrange all 13 12th grade classes to study in 13 separate rooms, creating favorable conditions for organizing specialized activities. Specifically, in week 1, it is expected to complete the classification of classes, disseminate the school year plan, and apply the rotating schedule of 2 sessions/day throughout the year.

Organize tests and assessments of graduation exams to grasp the learning situation, from which to plan tutoring for students who have not met the requirements and nurture excellent students from the beginning. Organize seminars so that students have an overview of the profession and university admission methods.

Week 2 is expected to focus on supplementing knowledge and equipping skills. Accordingly, we will start to systematize the core knowledge of grade 11, prepare the foundation for the grade 12 program; organize STEM/STEAM educational activities, scientific and technical research, topics on life skills education, financial education; organize workshops on digital literacy education, artificial intelligence (AI) to support learning; launch and establish academic and sports clubs.

“The school is committed to seriously and fully implementing the instructions of the Ministry of Education and Training, striving to create a safe, quality and comprehensive educational environment, helping students have a successful final year of school,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Diem Trang affirmed.

Expressing her joy that 9th grade students were able to return to school early, Ms. Pham Thi Kieu Oanh - Principal of Ha Loc Secondary School (Phu Tho Ward, Phu Tho Province) said that the school will use this time to stabilize class organization, build rules and learning routines; and decorate the classroom.

At the same time, it is expected to organize quality tests at the beginning of the school year for Math, Literature, English and guide students in skills for taking multiple-choice and essay tests, applying AI in learning... The school also creates conditions for students to express their wishes, aspirations, and suggestions related to the organization of teaching and learning activities, review, extracurricular activities, and learning content for session 2...

The school year schedule framework for the 2026 High School Graduation Exam is expected to take place on June 11 and 12. The two-week early school start time is the “golden time” for schools to carry out review activities early, consolidate basic knowledge, and help students systematize their knowledge after the summer vacation.

This is completely consistent with the Ministry of Education and Training's orientation on organizing high school graduation exam review for students. This time also allows schools to organize in-depth career counseling, life skills education, and financial education without affecting the duration of the main curriculum. - Ms. Nguyen Thi Diem Trang

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/hoc-sinh-tuu-truong-som-chuan-bi-tot-hon-cho-mua-thi-post744170.html