Dear Millie,

Finals week is fast approaching and I feel so overwhelmed! Finals at my high school were never this stressful.

I feel like I have so much to do and not enough time or energy to do it. I have to worry about tests and papers that account for a huge portion of my grade. I’ve never had something be weighted so heavily in a class. I am worried I am going to end up failing everything!

I am so stressed Millie. Do you have any advice on how to deal with finals? I feel like I am going to explode.

Sincerely,

Freaked out Frank

Dear Freaked out Frank,

The first thing you need to do is relax. Feeling this stressed is not good for your health. Try breathing exercises or get some fresh air. Taking just 15 minutes can help you feel better.

The fact that you are thinking about finals this early is a good thing. You shouldn’t procrastinate on your finals. The earlier you start, the less stressed you will be trying to cram everything the night before you have a test or a paper due.

Make sure you’re spending a good hour or so a day working on your finals for each class. Make study guides, ask friends for help and relook over your notes. Make notes of places where you don’t know the material as well and focus more on those areas.

Remember, lastly, that this is just a grade. You may feel terrible if you do badly in a class, but remember, 20 years from now, no one is going to care that you didn’t get an amazing grade in one of your classes. 

Keep working hard and you will do great.

Yours Truly,

Millie