Finals week is a nerve-wracking time for students at Aliso as they handle multiple exams, projects and assignments in a race to finish the semester strong. For many, this period is marked by sleepless nights, packed study schedules and a constant search for strategies to manage stress. While finals are something unavoidable and a part of the student experience, they also reveal how strong students are under all this pressure.
One of the most common challenges during finals week is time management. Students often feel like there is never enough time to study for every subject, especially when balancing other responsibilities. Many students create a schedule to organize their time. Others prefer studying alone to avoid distractions while others prefer to be in groups to understand topics that are confusing. However staying focused can still be difficult, no matter the method.
Teachers at Aliso play an important role in helping students navigate finals week. They provide study guides and practice exams to prepare students for their tests. These resources can help students feel more confident about the material, but the workload often causes a huge amount of stress. For many, having multiple study guides and tests on the same day is one of the biggest obstacles, making it hard for students to fully prepare or perform their best on them.
Srinidhi Sadasivuni (10) shares, “I gather all my papers on a confusing topic and take notes from all of them and quiz myself. If I get something wrong I look back to the notes I took.”
Stress management is another critical part of surviving these finals. Many people like Srinidhi come up with different strategies to stay focused. Some take frequent breaks, drink water or focus on getting enough sleep. Others turn to activities like listening to music or exercising to clear their minds. These techniques can make a huge difference in reducing the anxiety that it brought with the finals.
The school counseling office is also a good resource during finals week. Counselors encourage students to seek help if they are feeling overwhelmed, emphasizing the importance of mental health. They recommend techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness and setting small manageable goals to help students cope with the pressure.
Mr. Moreno, one of Aliso’s school counselors shares, “It is better to start studying as soon as possible. When there is more time, the help of relievers and tutoring becomes more beneficial.”
Finals are more than just a test of knowledge, they are also a test of the students’ time management and how much interest they have in doing their best. Many students find that despite the challenges, they feel a sense of accomplishment. When the week is over, some finals provide an opportunity to reflect on their study habits and learn valuable lessons about preparation and self-care.
At Aliso, the end of the semester is a shared experience that brings both stress and growth to students. With the support from teachers, counselors and other peers, students are finding ways to overcome their challenges of the week and finish the fall semester strong. Through hard work and determination, students are proving that even in the face of pressure, success is achievable with the correct mindset.
