With the end of the first semester fast approaching brings the time of exams for students in the Horizon School Division. 

Wednesday, January 23rd will see the start of exams for high school students and will continue to run throughout the week up until Monday, January 28th. 

Exams can be a stressful time for students, which is why support systems are in place and kids are encouraged to speak out if dealing with any anxiety. 

"We need to make sure that we provide those supports to our students with any level of anxiety. Whether it's exams or anything like that, these types of things do create angst in our young people and we have to make sure that we have support in place," said Director of Education with Horizon School Divison Kevin Garringer. 

Making someone aware, sometimes just talking to someone will often benefit students and relieve stress that is taking the focus off of preparation. 

I encourage them if they're feeling that at all to talk to their teachers. We have counselling support that we are able to extend to anyone who needs it to help them with those anxious periods in their lives. Of course, some level of anxiety is necessary in our lives, but if it becomes a challenge or a problem we not only encourage, we want to make sure they seek some help and we have ways of supporting them. The safety and well being of our kids is paramount in Horizon School Divison so whatever we can do we are going to do to make sure they are being looked after."

All 25 high schools in Horizon School Divison will begin to write their first-semester final exams in the next week. 

"I just want to say good luck to all of our students across all of our high schools. I know a lot of preparation has gone in to get them up to this period in time. Certainly, we encourage them to continue to prepare and wish them every success when they write those exams and I know they'll be successful."