Finals week is creeping up, and it can make students feel overwhelmed. Between studying, extracurriculars, and trying to keep your grades up, it’s easy to feel stressed. 

A recent survey was done by transformingeducation.com, which showed that about 75% of high school students feel constant stress over homework and school itself.

Sophomore Natali Lozano expressed finals along with extracurricular activities have been making her feel stressed recently.

“I do feel stressed, especially with finals coming up,” Lozano said.  “I just want finals to be over, and school to be over,  so my stress can leave and I can go to the beach.”

Natali isn’t the only one feeling the pressure. Many students around school experience similar stress. Whether it’s juggling multiple exams, or managing sports and clubs, the weight is taking a toll.

Even students who usually feel confident say the stress during this time of the year is really overwhelming. This feeling of burnout shows just how real finals stress is.

However, there are many tips to help ease your stress. Students around Los Fresnos shared their own personal tricks to finish the school year stress free.

Sophomore Rebecca Leal explains you should plan ahead, not cram.

“Making a schedule helps me stay organized and on track, even if I only study a little everyday it feels better than doing everything the night before a test,” Leal said

Sophomore Marcela Vega prioritizes sleep and meditation.

“Even if I feel like I still have loads of homework and studying to do, I make sure to get eight hours of sleep,” Vega said. “For about 15 minutes before I sleep and 15 minutes after I focus on my breathing because sometimes we feel so stressed we forget to.”

Sophomore Faith Perales, contrary to popular beliefs, finds using her phone destressing.

“I know that most people say your phone is stressful, but I think sometimes when you are overwhelmed with school you just need a distraction to calm yourself down, even if that means scrolling on TikTok for an hour,” Perales said

Senior Lilliana Larraga agreed that she likes to distract herself with something fun or someone special.

 “There is no use in stressing yourself out more by studying, because if you do that you wont even remember anything, so sometimes you just have to go to the beach, or the mall and get away from the stressors,” Larraga said.

Finals might be tough, but you can find ways to handle the pressure, and that’s what matters most. It is important to take care of your mental health, because grades are not as important as your well being.

As you push through the final stretch of the year remember you can get through this one day at a time.