DECEMBER 2023

A Guide to Handling Stress During "Semesters" Week

Alana Barahona

“Semesters”: the week we all dread as high school students. It comes with a load of stress, work, all-nighters, and no time for oneself. But If you think about it, it's not so bad. In this article, I’d like to share how I, as a sophomore, have learned to handle stress during “semesters.”

1. Make sure you are caught up in your classes.

This might seem like a basic thing to say, but believe me when I tell you that being caught up in all your classes is a big advantage when going into semesters week. The assignments you’ve had due throughout the semester will help you study for your tests or guide you when completing your big end-of-semester projects. It might also feel good to see your grade go up, eliminating some stress as you won't have to wait so long for teachers to upload grades for late work. 

2. Take advantage of being assigned projects. 

Now, more than ever, teachers are using a Project Based Learning method, and some are assigning projects for final semester assessments instead of exams. As soon as you are assigned a project for semesters week, start planning ahead. Divide different tasks that you will complete, and make a schedule. This way, you will not be overloaded with work when the week before or the week of semesters comes around. Prioritize finishing your projects, and use your previous assignments to help guide you and get the best out of your abilities. 

3.  Ask for help if you need it! 

There is a big stigma among students when it comes to asking questions. But in reality, they shouldn't feel that stigma. We should feel free to ask as many questions to teachers as we feel we need in order to fully understand the topics at hand. Teachers do not get mad or annoyed at students when they ask them questions, and they even get excited because that means students are showing interest in their classes. 

4. Take advantage of the resources that are in the palm of your hand. 

Many of us students do not realize how lucky we are when it comes to school and studying techniques. There are many amazing resources out there that will help you get the best score you possibly can in your end-of-semester assessments. Some examples are, Google presentations teachers put together for us, previous assignments, and study guides. Other resources you can find on the Internet are other people's notes, Quizlets about millions of different topics, Kahoots, Youtube videos of people explaining topics, and more! 

5. Romanticize studying. 

As someone who procrastinates studying, I know this sounds hypocritical to say. However, in the last couple of months, I've learned that if I romanticize studying, I will be able to enjoy it more and, therefore, see better results in my assessments. To romanticize something is good when it means being mindful about the things we do and finding ways to enjoy them.  I do this with studying by finding a nice place to study, like the school library, the willow path on campus, or just my backyard or even my dining table. Next, I try to be intentional with the materials I use. Using nice things like cute pens, highlighters, fresh pieces of papers, note cards, my iPad, or anything else that I enjoy using really helps me concentrate and enjoy studying more. Making my notes colorful also helps me retain information more effectively.

6. Take some time for yourself. 

This seems impossible during the weeks leading up to semester exams, but it is just as important as all the other tips I have given you. Laying down and resting for some time, IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME. You need rest in order to function. Have a healthy sleep schedule and use any free time you have to do something you enjoy that is good for you. Play some video games, watch videos, read a good book, listen to music, play a sport, exercise, etc… All of these things are essential to your studying process, so don't skip them because they feel  like “a waste of time” or “unnecessary.” Just be sure to manage your rest time wisely; this will help you succeed in your exams. 

I really hope this has helped you get some tips, and I hope you can apply them in order to feel less stressed during this time. For my freshies: I know it's your first time taking semester exams, but I promise that they are not that bad. You will be OK! You will 100% get through them efficiently, and you are capable of earning high grades. I wish you all the best of luck!