How to Stay Stress-Free During Regents Week

Stress is a big issue for Scarsdale's high schoolers and their parents. It's no easy task to take multiple advanced courses while volunteering, participating in school clubs and trying to maintain an active social life.
 
But now that the end of the school year is here, students have just one thing holding them back from a relaxing summer.
 
That thing, of course, is a week full of Regents exams.
 
Compared to Scarsdale High School's rigorous curriculum, the Regents may seem like a piece of cake. According to the New York State Education Department, all general education students in Scarsdale passed their Regents exams in English, Algebra, Biology, Global History, and U.S. History last year.

The state-mandated tests are so easy for most of Scarsdale's kids that some of the district's administrators don't think the exams do justice in effectively assessing high-achieving students' academic abilities. 
 
Nonetheless, it's easy to be tempted to drop the books and hang out with friends in this gorgeous early summer weather, so here are a few tips from Patch to help students maintain that last bit of focus so they can ace their exams. Attached to the story, for handy use by parents and students, is the official revised exam schedule both for Regents and school testing days.

Then the school year will be officially over! 

 
1. Take care of yourself.

When staying up all night studying for a physics exam is the last thing you want to do, it's probably because it's not good for you! During testing periods, which are likely to manifest unnecessary stress for students, it's important to take extra good care of yourself. This includes getting an adequate amount of sleep, eating healthy foods that are high in protein and fiber but low in sugar, and remembering to drink plenty of water.

If you feel like you're on the verge of getting stressed out, trying some purposeful breathing exercises, doing yoga, or going for a run are all effective ways to regain your balance.
 
2. It's almost over, but remember to focus!

Scarsdale's high schoolers know the end is near...the end of the school year that is. But it's important to focus on the task at hand.

Whether it's an English, math, social studies, or science exam, a good score depends largely on a student's ability to study for their test without worrying about outside factors, but this can be difficult in today's high-tech world. Are those text messages and Facebook newsfeeds causing you to lose your focus on those practice questions? Try turning off the laptop and phone until you're done with your studying. Chances are you'll absorb more information for the test if you try to ward off those modern-day distractions.
 
3. Reward yourself in positive ways.

So let's say you gave turning off your phone a shot. It may feel weird at first to be temporarily disconnected from the rest of the world, but think of it this way: When you're done with that set of 10 calculus problems, you can reward yourself by switching on your phone again.

It's important for kids, especially during times of potential stress, to reward themselves with positive reinforcement. Looking forward to a night out with friends or going to the beach after that Friday morning test is over are healthier ways to cope with stress during Regents week than trying to escape with quick fixes like drinking and drug use.