Final exams and student stress increase as the school year ends

Cam Tu Nguyen | Student Life Editor

May 23, 2026

As the school year comes to an end, students across the country are preparing for final exams, which are considered one of the most stressful times of the academic year. Finals are designed to test everything students have learned throughout the semester or school year, but for many students, they represent much more than just a test. Final exams often make up a large percentage of a student’s grade, creating intense pressure and anxiety for them. 

Many students say that the stress during finals comes not only from the exams themselves, but also from the impact they have on their overall grades. A single exam can raise or lower a class grade significantly, making months of work dependent on one test. This high stress environment often leads to long nights of studying, a lack of sleep, and constant worry.

For high school students especially, grades are closely tied to their future opportunities. Good grades help students get into colleges, earn scholarships, or satisfy family expectations. Due to these expectations, finals become more than a way to measure student’s knowledge, but rather the main factor in determining a student’s future. Many students report feeling overwhelmed when several finals are scheduled within the same week along with the worry about their grade, leaving little time to prepare for each subject.

The pressure to perform well continues to affect students’ mental health. However, school counselors and teachers have noticed that students often become more anxious, tired, and emotionally drained during finals season. Some students stay up late studying or isolate themselves from friends and family in an effort to improve their grades. While studying is important, too much stress can actually make it harder for students to focus and retain information.

Students have shared that the emphasis on grades sometimes takes away from the purpose of learning. Instead of focusing on understanding the material, many feel forced to memorize information just to pass an exam. According to Madison King, a sophomore at San Clemente High School, she explained that sometimes “[she] spends so much time worrying about her grade that she can not focus on actually learning.” This becomes a common concern that the education system places too much value on test scores rather than overall growth and understanding. Colleges often focus on students’ GPA rather than their actual knowledge.

Schools are beginning to recognize the impact of academic stress on students. Some teachers offer review sessions, extra credit opportunities, or flexible deadlines to help reduce the pressure. Counselors also encourage students to manage their time, take breaks, and maintain healthy habits such as sleeping enough, exercising, and eating properly during finals week. According to Sophomore Lila Whitaker, “finals can be stressful sometimes, but if you are able to manage it then it is manageable.”

Although final exams are an important part of education, many students believe there should be a better balance between testing and mental well being. Finals can motivate students to work hard, but when combined with the pressure of grades, they often become a major source of stress. As finals season continues, students are hoping for support from schools, teachers, and families to help them succeed without sacrificing their health.