This is the con argument for giving students off after final exams. To read the pro argument, click here.

Simple calculations will show that for every two weeks of an AP class a student misses after exams, he or she has wasted $112. Many students believe that they should have off after AP exams, but unless they like to burn money, this is a waste.

Based on section 7-103 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, each public school must be open for a minimum of 180 school days. Assuming John Carroll has similar standards and, using the tuition for the 2011-12 school year, $13,700, it can be determined that each school day costs about $76.11.

Further calculations show that each mod costs around $5.08. Assuming classes meet for 11 mods per week, over a course of two weeks, classes not meeting will waste just under $112 of tuition money.

While this amount does not sound like much, it should be put in perspective. This equals 87 popular songs on iTunes, two new Xbox or PS3 videogames, four adult tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, 224 cookies from the school cafeteria, two iPod shuffles (two GB), or over 1,100 bags of ramen noodles.

Especially in tougher economic times, students should be conscious of the fact that it costs real money to afford a Catholic education. While many AP students feel like they have done their share of work over the school year and deserve a break, they may not realize that their parents take a bullet when it comes to paying for their education.

Students should do their parents a favor at least by showing up for class. Even if no more grades are entered for the year, the potential to learn is still present, and it can be even more freeing to learn when grades are off the table.

Without pressure to focus on a strict AP curriculum, teachers can poll the students regarding what topics they wish to be covered. The rest of the year can then reflect the students’ desires.

As a perfect example, last year after the Psychology final, juniors who remained chose to learn about something skipped during a shortened semester course: criminology. Students had the opportunity to learn about the kind of behavior that inspired shows like Criminal Minds, CSI, and other hit crime dramas.

For an AP English class, perhaps the students could choose what book to read and discuss next. In a more relaxed, student-run atmosphere, the students could enjoy themselves and more easily retain the learning material.

In addition, if fourth quarter grades are low, students can request more participation-based assignments to nudge grades up without the pressure of tests or quizzes.

Instead of seeing the time after exams as an opportunity to relax, they should be seen as an opportunity to grab the reigns of learning and steer them where the class desires. So next time you hear your class urging a teacher to give them off for the rest of the year, remind them that in doing so they waste not only $112, but also the opportunity to control their own learning destiny.

Adam Kuester is a News Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.