Balancing Studying and Stress During Final Exam Season

By: Olivia Obadiah

As final exams approach, students often find themselves under immense pressure. Whether it’s due to uncertainty about how to study or the anxiety that naturally comes with high-stakes testing, stress levels tend to rise—and when unmanaged, that stress can negatively impact performance. Beyond anxiety, many students also experience burnout, leaving them drained, unmotivated, and unable to concentrate. However, adopting effective study techniques and healthy habits can help combat these challenges and promote academic success.

Why Do Students Experience Burnout and Stress?

Academic burnout—a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress—is a growing concern during exam season. It often results from intense academic pressure, fear of failure, and extended periods of overworking. According to a recent survey conducted at Don Soffer Aventura High School, nearly 47% of students plan to study between 3 to 4 hours each day in preparation for finals. An additional 21.7% reported studying for more than 4 hours daily. While dedication is admirable, excessive studying without balance can lead to serious consequences: fatigue, reduced motivation, lack of focus, and ultimately, lower academic performance.

Preventing burnout starts with moderation, structure, and self-care. By incorporating purposeful study strategies and setting healthy limits, students can maintain both their productivity and well-being.

Study Techniques

Healthy study habits are essential to staying organized and avoiding the mental toll of cramming. Students often feel overwhelmed by the volume of assignments and the pressure to master every detail, but structure can help relieve this tension. One powerful tool is creating a realistic study schedule. Breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks makes the workload feel less intimidating. Adding scheduled breaks is just as important—rest periods help the brain process and retain new information.

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A popular method is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves studying for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. After four cycles, students take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This approach keeps study time focused while reducing mental fatigue.

The same student survey revealed that many students rely on past exams and practice problems to study, while others use flashcards, video tutorials, or rewrite their notes. All of these are effective—what matters most is finding what works for you.

Just as crucial is goal-setting. Establishing realistic, achievable objectives can boost motivation. However, setting goals that are too ambitious can have the opposite effect. Failing to meet unrealistic goals may reinforce feelings of inadequacy and lead to a pattern of discouragement.

Advice from Past Students

Many students previously experienced intense stress when studying for final exams last year. In fact, when rating their stress during finals week, around 86% of students rated their stress above a 7, and around 47% of students  rated their stress a 10, on a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least stressed, and 10 being the most stressed). In a section of the questionnaire, students were asked to give advice for new students taking exams. 

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A diligent student, Chloe Demesmin-O’Neill, recommends preparing by taking practice exams. Specifically, she says, “Don’t focus on mastery, make sure you have a good understanding of the material. Watch videos if you can and make sure to do practice tests/problems, so you are not surprised by the difficulty of the exam.” A handful of students claimed they had more stress than necessary when preparing for final exams last year, and they recommend other students to relax and not put too much stress on themselves. Ilene Aharonov says “just relax and do your best.” As Natalie Braet advises, “hard work always pays off, and make sure not to procrastinate!”

Support at Don Soffer High

Students aren’t alone in this. Don Soffer Aventura High School offers a range of resources to help students academically and emotionally. One standout support system is SHINE Peer Tutoring, a program that pairs students with peers who have previously excelled in their classes. Tutoring is available every Tuesday morning from 8:00 to 8:25 a.m., and covers a wide variety of subjects, including AICE International History, AP U.S. History, AP Seminar, AP Biology, and AP Calculus.

Final Reminders

Yes, finals can be stressful, but they’re also an opportunity to show what you’ve learned and how much you’ve grown. Start early, take breaks, stay organized, and lean on the support around you. With the right mindset and strategies, you’ll be ready to take on whatever challenges come your way.