With final exams just around the corner, the intensity level of the semester has begun to rapidly increase. Managing stress is a vital part of making sure your mental and physical well-being are maintained during this time. 

December is the climax of the Christmas season, but for students and teachers alike, it is also the height of the fall semester. The return from Thanksgiving break can feel like one continuous sprint, with projects, essays, and tests being thrown at students from the left and right. Then in a blink, it becomes the week before final exams. 

This time of the year harbors copious amounts of stress and anxiety. The intensity of effort required to keep up with the pace of school can feel utterly exhausting, and sometimes as though it is impossible to even take a breath. 

Taking time for yourself during this period is key to pushing through. It is much easier to tell yourself you don’t have any time to take for self-care but it is a crucial part of maintaining physical and mental health. It’s simple logic that’s ignored: how do you expect to do well on your exams if you aren’t well? 

Mrs. Kristen Versen, wellness counselor, recommends students maintain their basic self-care to reduce stress.

“Drink lots of water and not too much caffeine, eat food that nourishes the body and soul, get some exercise doing something you enjoy, and sleep at least 7 hours a night, which I know is not always easy,” Mrs. Versen said. 

She points to the importance of a positive mindset and maintaining a view of the bigger picture.

‘“Try to use positive self-talk; the stress of exams won’t last forever!” she said.

While maintaining a positive mindset can be much easier to say than accomplish, that doesn’t necessarily equate to being happy 24/7. When you’re in moments of distress, it can mean maintaining a positive outlook towards the future while having a confident attitude towards that hill you must climb to get there. Mrs. Versen reminds us of the value of keeping the end goal in sight, as you can use it to motivate yourself to do the difficult things that come beforehand. 

Another step in managing yourself while under pressure is to stay connected with your friends and family. It can feel instinctual to isolate yourself in order to remain focused on studying, but maintaining your social connections can actually be beneficial in reducing stress. According to Mayo Clinic, “[s]ocial contact is a good stress reliever because it can offer distraction, provide support and help you tolerate life’s ups and downs.”

Even if it’s something quick like getting coffee with a friend, attempting to keep in touch with the people you care about will help you in the long run. 

Ms. Daniella Moshi, English teacher, believes in the importance of being strategic with your tasks. 

“I create to-do lists, like dumping out all my thoughts on paper, and then I like to complete one to two small tasks before tackling the big ones,” Ms. Moshi said. 

Altogether, the main takeaway of keeping your stress in check while studying is remembering to do little things in order to take care of yourself. Taking time for self care, connecting with friends and maintaining a positive outlook for the future are all simple but impactful steps you can take in the midst of finals season. Mrs. Versen’s closing words of encouragement are an important message for us all.

“Remind yourself, you are capable of doing hard things!” she said.