Although stress and exam anxiety are ubiquitous in our modern performance-oriented society, these phenomena are often downplayed, leaving those affected to cope with their suffering alone. Why are some people unable to face the challenges of everyday life or exam situations with composure? Are we more stressed today than our ancestors were 100 years ago? And to what extent are anxiety and stress mechanisms related to neural processes in our brain? The authors address these and other central questions regarding our experience of stress, referencing psychological, educational, and neuroscientific theories and findings. They describe the leading stress models and thoroughly examine risk factors, long-term consequences, and possible coping strategies. In doing so, they connect scientific research findings with practical applications.