As final exams approach, many students find themselves balancing hours of studying, late nights, and the pressure to do well on their exams. While finals week is meant to measure academic progress, it can also take a serious toll on students’ mental health.
At many high schools, students report feeling overwhelmed during the final weeks of the semester. The pressure to maintain grades, prepare for multiple different tests, and manage responsibilities outside of school can often lead to lots of stress and anxiety. Despite these challenges, schools have started encouraging students to focus on their mental health rather than overworking themselves with academics. Some teachers will even reduce homework before finals to make it easier on their students.
Alexander Perez, a student at Horizon High School, explained how finals week changes the atmosphere at school. “Everyone seems more stressed out, it seems,” Perez said. “People stay up really late studying, and by the end of the week, everyone is just tired and ready to get out of here and go home.” This shows the feeling of many students during finals week, stress, anxiety, and mental strain are all common emotions.
According to an article by CU Boulder, stress during exam periods can affect students both emotionally and physically. Lack of sleep, difficulty concentrating, headaches, and burnout are common symptoms during finals week. Some students also feel pressure from parents, teachers, and even themselves to perform at their best. Social expectations and competition can also increase anxiety. Many students might try to compare last minute grades and study habits with their peers, creating even more pressure on themselves. For students involved in sports, jobs, or extracurricular activities, finals week can become especially difficult to manage on top of their personal lives.
Class of 2026 Horizon High School graduate, Colton Scott, described finals week as one of the most exhausting parts of the school year. Like many other students, Scott said the stress comes from trying to study for all different exams at the same time, “You’re trying to study for every class at once, and it feels like there’s never enough time.” Scott added on saying, “Even after school, the exams are still on your mind.”
Although finals week is an unavoidable part of school and easily one of the most demanding, many students believe the pressure surrounding exams can become overwhelming. But by encouraging healthier study habits and providing stronger mental health support for times like these, schools can help students succeed academically without sacrificing their well being. While exams are temporary, the effects of heavy stress can last much longer if students do not learn healthy ways to manage these feelings effectively.
