Supporting Your Teen During High School Finals

Ally Bremer
2 days ago
3 min read

High school finals are approaching, and whether your teen is taking finals for their first time or their last, they might be feeling a significant amount of stress. It is no secret that finals can feel daunting. They are the closing chapter of a semester of hard work and often determine what the final grade will be. Because every teen’s needs are different, it is important to understand what kind of support will help them the most during this challenging time.

Communicate

Let your teen know that you are there for them without hovering. It is okay to ask how you can be supportive. If their answer is “I don’t know” or “leave me alone”, give them space while reminding them that you are there if they need anything.

It is normal for teens to present as more irritable when experiencing stress. Try to remain calm, validate their feelings, and respond without judgement. You can offer emotional support by listening to their concerns and providing encouragement. These simple ways of communicating can go a long way.

Help Them Know What to Expect

If it is your teen’s first year in high school and first time ever taking final exams, they might not know what the process looks like. You can offer your support by helping them understand the structure of finals, their individual schedule, and the stress or pressure they might feel leading up to it.

You can also share your personal experiences with finals to normalize their worries and provide evidence that they can get through them. Normalizing their experience can help them to feel more confident in their ability to succeed.

Help Create A Schedule

It can be challenging for teens to balance the different subjects and responsibilities they have during finals. Allocating enough time to study each subject and manage their time effectively can be stressful.

You can be supportive by helping your teen create a schedule to ensure they are spending time on all necessary subjects without cramming at the last minute. Many teens will say that they prefer to cram the night before a test because it is more efficient, or they don’t have enough time. However, research shows that studying a little bit each day over a longer period of time is more effective for long-term memory and results in higher test scores.

You can encourage teens to create a schedule for studying and begin reviewing material a couple weeks before their exams. This can reduce stress, improve focus, and increase confidence.

Encourage Healthy Habits

It is common for teens to get caught up in studying, especially for finals, and forget to take good care of themselves. As their caregiver, you can help by encouraging:

● Regular breaks: It can be helpful to study in intervals such as 25 minutes of studying followed by a 5 minute break to engage in something different such as stretching, drinking water, deep breathing, or stepping outside.

● Nutritious meals and snacks: You can encourage healthy eating habits by providing them with options of nutritious snacks and encouraging them to limit their caffeine intake.

● Physical Movement: Exercise can be beneficial for reducing stress and increasing energy. It can be a 5 minute walk during a break from studying, or a longer walk or workout for a longer rest from studying.

● Adequate sleep. Ensuring your teen gets adequate sleep will help their memory retention and overall well-being. It is recommended that teens get an average of 8-10 hours of sleep each night.

Each of these habits can increase energy and focus to help your teen succeed on their exams.

Practice Coping Strategies to Reduce Stress

With the pressure and stress that comes with finals season, it is important for teens to practice self-care and coping strategies to improve their mood and functioning. You can help teach your teen effective coping strategies, or encourage them to practice what they already know.

Here are some examples of stress reducing strategies:

● Deep breathing exercises

● Positive self-talk or affirmations

● Mindfulness practices

● Gentle movement such as stretching or walking

● Journaling

Encouraging teens to use these tools can help them stay calm, confident, and focused.

Final Thoughts

High school finals are stressful for many reasons. Whether your teen is an A+ student, or just trying their best to pass, finals bring pressure for everyone. Your teen’s needs are unique, so it is important to understand how to best support your child by communicating with them with respect and understanding.

Show patience and empathy, especially if your teen becomes irritable under stress. Finals season will pass, and with the right support and encouragement, your teen will make it through successfully.