For most people, the holiday season is filled with lights, music, and excitement. But for high school students, December can feel like a tug-of-war between joy and exhaustion. Finals, projects, and deadlines collide with holiday events, gift shopping, and family plans—creating a perfect storm of stress right when they’re “supposed” to feel the happiest. It’s no wonder so many students feel overwhelmed as the semester wraps up.
One of the biggest sources of holiday stress is simply the end-of-semester workload. Teachers try to squeeze in last-minute tests, major assignments, and review sessions before break, leaving students juggling multiple priorities at once.
“It feels like every class decides to have something due in the same week,” junior Anabella Poleo said. “I want to enjoy the holidays, but I’m too busy studying.”
With grades closing and pressure rising, students often feel torn between staying focused on school and wanting to relax.
Outside the classroom, there’s a whole different set of demands. Many students spend December running between family gatherings, religious events, sports practices, and holiday parties. Some have jobs that get busier during the season, while others travel or host visiting relatives. Even something as simple as finding gifts can add stress, especially for teenagers who are on tight budgets. And behind it all is the emotional expectation of being cheerful, even when life feels chaotic.
To manage it all, students rely on a mix of strategies; some healthy, some not so healthy. Time management is a big one. Many students try to block out specific study hours so they can balance schoolwork with holiday activities.
Others set boundaries by choosing which events they realistically have time for, and politely turn down the rest.
Mindfulness and small self-care habits also help students stay grounded. Some take short walks, listen to calming music, or do simple breathing exercises before studying. Others destress by journaling or sticking to a regular sleep schedule. Even taking ten minutes to reset can make a big difference in a season that moves fast.
Of course, not every coping habit is a positive one. Many students fall into the trap of procrastination, staying up late, or relying on energy drinks to power through long nights. Overcommitting to too many events can also lead to burnout, leaving students drained by the time winter break actually begins. Teachers and counselors recommend paying attention to these patterns and finding healthier ways to handle the pressure.
School counselors also emphasize that students don’t have to go through the stress alone. Talking to a trusted adult, joining a study group, or simply admitting that you’re overwhelmed can lighten the emotional load.
“This season can be tough,” one counselor noted. “But students forget that it’s okay to ask for help.”
In the end, holiday stress is something almost every student faces…but it’s manageable. With a little balance and a lot of grace for, it’s possible to get through finals while still enjoying the season. And once winter break finally arrives, the rest feels that much more deserved.
