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This article aims to find out the description of stress and how to cope with it for students preparing their theses at the Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah, and Teacher Training, State Islamic University Alauddin Makassar. This study employed a qualitative approach in the form of a case study. The participants comprised two students who had been at risk of dropping out (DO). Data collection encompassed observations, interviews, and documentation. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, involving data reduction, presentation, and conclusion or verification. The results of the study describe the forms of stress experienced by students who are preparing their thesis in general, namely: (1) biological stress such as fatigue, body aches, headaches, difficulty sleeping, disturbed digestion due to irregular eating, changes in facial skin due to acne, and dullness from lack of rest; (2) psychological stress such as thought process disturbances, always avoiding people you know, being easily angry, sensitive, and always feeling tense and anxious. Meanwhile, the stress coping strategies used are emotion-focused coping and problem-focused coping.

Drop out; thesis preparation; coping strategies; stress; final-year students