As Thanksgiving break comes to an end, finals week starts to ramp up. The high stakes of not only doing well on the seven tests, but also maintaining your grade can be stressful. So why does this week challenge all students and what can students do to help reduce their anxiety?

Finals can be very stressful for many people as they secure students’ final grades for the semester. Many students here at Cathedral play sports and it can be an overwhelming week filled with endless studying on top of the normal sports schedule.

Some students have a lack of preparation for finals which increases their pressure and anxiety during this week. Mr Framio says that most students wait till the week of finals to start studying. “I would tell students to begin by identifying which classes require the most immediate attention.” Doing this can help students succeed in the classes they need the most help with.

Sophomore, Emma Sullivan says “I handle stress and anxiety during finals week by taking breaks and doing things that make me happy.” A way to not stress out too much during finals is to create breaks and try to make your studying fun, rather than an assignment that has to be completed. Having breaks lets your mind relax and not worry about studying for 5 hours straight.

Having a good night’s rest every night is very important in students’ success over the intense week. Sam Saba ‘28 says “ The most important thing for me is sleep and having a good study schedule in order to do well on my tests.” She prioritizes getting at least 8 hours of sleep to make sure her brain is functioning properly in the morning.

Another way to be prepared for your tests is to fuel your body. When you get food that gives you nutrients and natural energy, your body works better than it would with caffeinated drinks. Having a good diet might not seem like a big deal but actually is a major part of your brain’s performance.

Finals week is coming up quickly and students should start their studying as soon as they can in order to succeed. Even though grades are important, so is your well-being and mental health. Stress during this week is bound to happen, so stay on top of your work and breathe through each test and every question.