As our first semester wraps up, our students are preparing for their finals. This time of the year can elevate their stress levels. Here are some tips to help your student manage their stress. Feel free to talk to your student about these as well- they learned about these tips in advisory class!

Be prepared. If you feel confident that you’ve prepped thoroughly, you’ll feel more confident walking into the test. Think about what materials you will need the day of the test and make a plan for how you will study the information for your finals.
Get a good night’s sleep. Cramming and pulling an all-nighter can increase your nerves. Having adequate rest (8–10 hours per night) is likely to be more beneficial than rereading your notes and study guides late into the night.
Fuel up. Eat a nutritious breakfast before the test and pack smart snacks for ongoing energy. Look for foods that offer a steady stream of nutrients, rather than a sugar high followed by a crash.
Get to class early. Feeling rushed will only amp up your anxiety. Pack everything you need for the exam the night before and set the alarm so you can get out the door on time.
Have a positive mental attitude. Come up with a morale-boosting mantra like “I can do this” or “I have been studying and know this.” Recite your mantra before the test begins and throughout the test.
Read carefully. Read the directions thoroughly and read all the answers before making a choice or starting the essay. Slowing down can help you stay focused.
Just start. A blank page can maximize your stress. After you’ve read the directions, dive right in by making an outline for an essay answer. Or, find some questions you can ask to build up your confidence and momentum. You can always go back and change things later if needed, but a few quick answers can get the ball rolling.
Don’t pay attention to what other people are doing. Everyone else is scribbling away? Maybe you are thinking, “Ahh! What do they know that you don’t?” It doesn’t matter. Pay attention to your own test and pace, and forget about the other students in the room.
Watch the clock. Realizing that time is almost up and there are lots of test questions left can make it hard to do anything useful in those final minutes. Stay on pace by scoping out the whole test before getting started. Mentally allocate how much time you’ll spend on each section. If there’s time to recheck, even better.
Focus on calm breathing and positive thoughts. Practice breathing and mindfulness strategies to help calm down. Try some of these breathing techniques if you start to feel your amygdala take control.