As the anticipation of summer rapidly increases among the student body, so does the presence of finals. It seems as if the only thing people are discussing on campus are their upcoming assessments. Kids debating which one will be the hardest to which one they will need to worry the least about. Nevertheless it is stressful. The pressure to do good and for 9th graders, to look good on their transcripts for final grades. Stress will not help anyone succeed in anything and people need strategies to handle this when it comes up during these intense last few weeks.
When asked about how he is handling all of the upcoming tests Luke Reck ’29 said “There’s a ton of things about being at Harvard- Westlake that you can just have to come to expect. Whether it be going to bed three hours later than you had previously planned or having to cancel hangouts and plans because you just physically have to work. And I feel like for finals, that responsibility has definitely stepped up. I have to study for my finals on top of studying for final unit tests for classes like science and history and it’s a lot.”
Handling stress is the most important thing to help yourself in these final weeks of school. Reck said “What I’ve been doing really that helps is talking with teachers whenever I can just because that’s how I get the material down. It’s been stressful and there’s moments where I feel like shutting down and withdrawing, but I remember to take breaks and realize that everyone is going through it.”
Robin Bibbs, Assistant Director of the Learning Center and knows a lot about controlling stress.
She said “Begin breaking big tasks into smaller ,manageable steps – for example, instead of thinking I have 5 final exams, focus on one subject, and give yourself credit for every small win you have.”
Students are so focused on the negatives that they often forget to give themselves credit for good things that they do. No one can do well on tests without rest and good nutrition.
Bibbs said “Remember to fuel yourself with water, decent sleep and eating healthy meals and especially no all nighters, because you need your rest and a rested mind performs better than an exhausted one. In addition to studying, get involved in stress-relief activities like walking, running, listening to music or talking with another adult you trust. Never compare yourself to your classmates, everyone is different.”
Finals can feel overwhelming, especially with the pressure students put on themselves to succeed. However, stress does not have to control these final weeks of school. By staying organized, taking care of mental and physical health, and remembering that everyone is experiencing similar challenges, students can manage the pressure and finish the school year strong. The end of the year may be difficult, but with the right mindset and habits, students can make it through successfully.
