As the academic year approaches its close, students across South Africa find themselves grappling with the mounting demands of the final semester. From high school learners preparing for pivotal examinations to postgraduate students racing against research deadlines, the last months of the year often bring a wave of pressure that can feel overwhelming. Experts warn that without careful balance, this stress can undermine both academic performance and mental well-being.
The closing semester is often framed as a “make-or-break” moment, with students believing their futures rest on these final efforts. While this belief may encourage discipline, it can also fuel unhealthy levels of anxiety and exhaustion. The consequences, specialists note, are diminished focus, poor retention, and long-term mental strain that does more harm than good.
Dr. Gilbert emphasises that success lies not in panic but in perspective. “Students must remember that education is a marathon, not a sprint. The last semester is important, but overwhelming yourself with pressure can do more harm than good. Consistency, focus, and balance are what carry you across the finish line not panic,” he explained. His advice points to the need for steady, manageable effort rather than frantic, last-minute attempts to push through.
For postgraduate students, the weight is often heavier. Alongside coursework, they juggle research expectations, funding concerns, and professional aspirations. Dr. Muringa notes that this group, in particular, must guard against equating stress with productivity. “We need to remind our postgraduate students that focus comes from discipline, not from pressure. When you centre your well-being, you perform better. Overloading your mind with stress only clouds the very clarity you need to succeed,” she said.
The conversation extends beyond study habits to the broader question of wellness. Education and mental health advocate Siboniso Malinga cautions that treating wellness as secondary can derail academic goals. “Wellness is not optional it’s the foundation of success. When students neglect rest, nutrition, and healthy coping strategies, they compromise their ability to concentrate and perform. Managing pressure is not weakness; it’s a skill every student must learn,” Malinga explained.
This growing emphasis on wellness reflects a shift in how academic success is understood. No longer seen as the product of relentless work alone, achievement is increasingly tied to balance, resilience, and mental health. Protecting well-being allows students to approach exams and deadlines not as threats, but as opportunities to showcase steady growth.
As the semester winds down, the goal is not perfection but progress. By pacing themselves, managing stress, and prioritising wellness, learners can finish the year with clarity and confidence. More than surviving the storm of deadlines, students are encouraged to find strength in balance, a skill that will serve them long after the semester ends.
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