Hurrying to finish assignments, running to the locker room to get ready for a sport, studying late at night to avoid failing finals, or simply trying to hold everything together during the last weeks of school — such is the reality for many students as the semester comes to a close.
For many students at West Chicago Community High School, finals season is more than just a week of tests. It is a balancing act involving projects, athletics, missing assignments, extracurricular activities, and pressure to finish the semester strong before summer begins. As workloads increase, many students begin turning nearly every part of the school day — study halls, passing periods, hallways, and lunch periods — into extra work time.
According to Edutopia “As high-stakes tests loom, cortisol levels, a chemical marker for stress, rise by an average of 15 percent, a physiological response linked to an 80-point drop in SAT scores.” Because of this, many students look for ways to stay organized and maintain a sense of balance during the final weeks of school.
Student athletes such as sophomore Naomi Odom, pictured above, often face additional pressure during finals season because practices, games, and conditioning continue while assignments and exams pile up at the same time. Many students say time management becomes one of the most important skills during the final weeks of the semester.
“Just having time management, I think it’s the key point when you’re balancing both school and sports. I usually make a schedule and make sure I finish all my homework,” junior Jayden Morales said.
Many students spend study halls and free periods trying to catch up on assignments before heading to after-school practices, jobs, or activities. Libraries, lounges, classrooms, and even hallway floors often become temporary workspaces as students try to use every available moment productively.
Educational Connections, an academic support organization, notes that students often struggle during finals because of poor sleep, ineffective study habits, anxiety, and difficulty balancing multiple responsibilities at once. The organization also emphasizes that many students rely heavily on cramming or passive studying, which can increase stress levels as deadlines approach.
Catharine Foos leans against a row of lockers in the hallway while charging her Chromebook and working on an assignment due later in the day. During finals season, many students find themselves completing work wherever they can find time or an open outlet.
Many students also rely on their friends for support during stressful weeks. Having supportive classmates and friends can make difficult days feel more manageable and help students stay motivated as workloads increase.
“The nice thing is I have friends who I can talk to, and they’re really loving in that class. They’re amazing people, and whenever I feel stressed out about a song or about pressure teachers are putting on me, they’re really nice to listen and support me,” Foos said.
(Photo by Malaz Elamin)Students rush through the hallway after the 4/5 bell rings as many try to balance finals, extracurricular activities, and end-of-year deadlines during one of the busiest weeks of the semester. For many students, even passing periods become opportunities to mentally prepare for upcoming tests, finish assignments, or meet with teachers before deadlines arrive.
Junior Brianna Duran studies in the library during study hall while students around her work quietly on assignments and exam preparation. During finals week, study halls often become some of the busiest periods of the day as students attempt to finish missing work and prepare for exams before summer break begins.
“Just having time management, I think it’s the key point when you’re balancing both school and sports. I usually make a schedule and make sure I finish all my homework,” Duran said.
Freshman Audrey Rostowsky listens to music while working on her journalism final about literacy rates among teenagers. Many students use music, breaks, or conversations with friends to reduce stress levels and stay focused during long school days filled with projects and exams.
Research and student experiences alike suggest that finals week is not only academically demanding, but mentally exhausting as well. In a student perspective article published by the University of Notre Dame, graduating senior Meaghan Northup described finals season as “a test of mental endurance,” emphasizing the importance of sleep, breaks, and routines during stressful academic periods.
Freshman Micaela Jaramillo works to finish her journalism final before the end of class. As finals week comes to a close, many students spend their last days of the semester balancing deadlines, exams, sports, and activities while trying to finish the school year strong before summer break begins.
