In the home stretch of the second semester, there’s usually only one thing on students’ minds: finals. During the first few weeks of June, it’s common for students to have their noses buried in books, studying away for their upcoming quizzes, projects and tests. This time of year is often the most stressful for many students, making it a challenging time.
As a junior who has been through almost three rounds of high school finals, here are some tips to help manage your stress and thrive during finals week.
Communicate with your teachers
Even though it might sound daunting, vulnerable, or literally the last thing you want to do, communicating with your teachers is one of the most helpful things a student can do during finals week. Teachers are one of the best resources students can use during exam season; they are some of the students’ biggest supporters, and they want you to succeed. If you’re feeling anxious about an upcoming test or project, set up a time to talk with your teacher to devise a study plan to prepare for all of your finals and complete unfinished work.
Take advantage of the opportunities teachers give during this last week as well. Many teachers will offer optional extra credit work to students seeking to improve their grades. There are also several flex times scheduled throughout finals week, during which teachers aim to prioritize their students and help them be successful as they conclude the year.
Make a priority list
Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to complete? Try writing a list of what you need to do, from highest to lowest priority. Organize the items on your list from most important to least important, until you know what the most crucial tasks are. Try to complete these tasks first, and your stress will improve as the week goes on.
This can often feel like an impending reminder of everything that needs to be done, but try to reframe your idea of the to-do list. Instead of a looming list of work and deadlines, a to-do list can serve you well by lifting the stress of having to remember everything off the top of your head.
Focus on positive self-talk
It’s easy to fall into the habit of thinking negative thoughts. We’ve all had them throughout the years — “I can’t do this, I’m going to fail,” or “Ugh, I should be studying right now.” Instead of falling victim to the rabbit hole of negative thinking, try to catch yourself when you’re talking down on yourself, and reframe that thought more positively.
“I can’t do this, I’m going to fail,” can become “I’m feeling really nervous for this test, but I know I’ve prepared myself and I’ll do the best I can, while, “Ugh, I should be studying right now,” can become “Studying feels really difficult. I’ll set a plan to study for half an hour and then take a break.”
Although a bit cheesy, reframing your thoughts to positive self-talk can reduce your stress coming into finals week. It can lower the effects stress has on your body and help you come into your exams and projects confidently.
Remember, the stakes may feel high, but final exams are not an accurate reflection of how well you’ve done in the class or how much you’ve learned. Give yourself some grace and compassion, and recognize that this is a challenging time for everyone. Even though it might be hard, be sure to treat yourself with kindness.
Prioritize your sleep
Some may think this is counterintuitive, but sleep is one of the most important aspects of exam season. Sleep not only plays a key role in brain function and memory consolidation, but also improves students’ overall well-being, making it crucial to account for during stressful times.
Finals week often results in students’ main focus being on their exams, and less on sleep, often resulting in sleep deprivation. This can worsen students’ stress or feelings of anxiety, as well as impair their attention and memory.
When choosing between another few minutes of studying and going to bed, skip the morning coffee and prioritize your sleep. Remember to drink lots of water and eat a good breakfast on the morning of your finals.
If you’re feeling anxious during this final week, take a step back, breathe, and remind yourself that you’re prepared.
Good luck, Guardians! You’ve got this.
