As the semester comes to a close, students and teachers alike face one of the most chaotic weeks of the year. With essays piling up, multiple assessments a day, and the pressure of final grades looming, stress levels are at an all-time high. While a new policy limits students to no more than two major in-class assessments per day, the workload remains overwhelming for many.
Mr. Ryan Liese, Head of the Upper School, acknowledged that the final week of any quarter or semester is stressful for everyone, including the adults who are racing to finish grading. He’s found that in sending encouraging emails and reminding staff of upcoming events or deadlines, he can be a supportive presence. He recalled a humorous moment when a student jokingly accused another of avoiding doing their work—perhaps a sign of just how tense this time can be.
Ms. Liz Morrison, Head of School, believes that rather than shielding students from stress and academic hardship, students should be encouraged to embrace a healthy level of stress as an essential part of preparing for life. She said, “Experiencing and managing stress is not just a challenge of this school — it’s a big part of life too.” She said that students who work consistently tend to find the end of the term less overwhelming than those who procrastinate, suggesting that facing deadlines head-on builds resilience. Ms. Morrison’s belief in “healthy stress” comes somewhat from insights from parents, one of whom recalled that their son wished MBS had given him less of a safety net to better prepare him for college challenges. She said that a balanced approach, where reasonable challenges are met with measured support, equips students to thrive in the real world.
But not all stress is healthy stress. In the weeks leading up to the end of a grading period, many students find themselves struggling to keep up, which has led some to turn to AI for help. To address this problem, the Associate Academic Dean Mr. Tim Hannigan spoke to the study body about the temptation presented by AI. He strongly encouraged students to seek out resources that promote academic integrity. MBS offers a variety of options for students feeling overwhelmed academically. Besides the guidance department that helps to support students’ socio-emotional needs, students have access to the library, the Center for Academic Writing, and the Center for Quantitative Reasoning.
For students who feel tempted to cut corners, the school has clear academic integrity policies in place. Mr. Hannigan shared that while AI misuse has become more common, the school’s focus is on educating students rather than just punishing them. “We want students to understand why honesty matters and to give them the tools to succeed without resorting to shortcuts,” he said.
During these times, Mrs. Barbara Smith, Director of Counseling, believes in the importance of taking time for yourself in stressful moments. “Coping strategies can be anything from journaling – which is proven to have benefits – to having a self-care night. When you’re cooped up working for so long, it takes such a toll, especially for teens. ”
As the semester wraps up, it’s important to remember that support is available. Whether it’s through meeting with a peer tutor, reaching out to teachers during the afternoon collaborative period, or using smarter study strategies, students don’t have to face finals week alone.
