When I was little, I used to dream of being in high school and college and looking at my older sister I would think to myself, "there is no way I can grow that tall" or have a beard like my dad, yet I looked forward to that moment where I would finally realize that yes, I am an adult, those moments when I could live on my own, have a job of my own, a car that I could sit in without using a phone book so I could see over the steering wheel, and even take tests. When finals week hits, all of that changes and I wish I could be young again. There is a change in the air at every college across the country. A period of two weeks leading up to the finish line that both students and teachers look forward too. How do you know it is coming? Here is my list for the 10 signs that tell you it is finals week.
1. Everyone is staying up late.
We all know that we that subconscious that tells us to go to bed early for that 8 a.m. class the next morning, yet during finals week that goes right out the window. Your sleep schedules are turned upside down where you are now taking 30-minute power naps because you cannot afford to sleep for more than that.
2. You see a lot more people ordering "to go" than "for here."
I like to go sit down at a restaurant whether it is your local dorm food or whatnot, but now that it is the season for tears, you are now eating while doing homework.
3. You are asking for extra credit.
When you have two weeks left in the school semester, it is not the time for extra credit, yet we all do it. We are emailing our teachers or asking them what you can do to raise your grade because you know your final will be death.
4. More people are going to class.
You are going to class just as you always do, however, for whatever reason, finding a seat just got a lot more difficult in your lecture halls. You are thinking to yourself where in the world did all of these people come from?
5. Showers are somehow no longer mandatory...
Waking up late and no time to shower in the morning? No worries, almost everyone else is doing it is as well. The guys are wearing deodorant from the previous day, and the girls leave makeup on for the next day.
6. People go out less often.
You no longer hear the bass from the closest fraternity party and people are walking the streets less and less.
7. Real clothes are no longer needed.
Want to wear what is comfortable to class? No problem, you will find comfort in all of the other people around campus walking around in their pj's right there with you and you will know the people that are suffering right there with you.
8. There is stress in the air.
Tensions are high everywhere! Now, instead of you finding how the Starbucks baristas spell your name to be funny, it is now an insult. Every little pet peeve will now make you instantly aggravated.
9. The only conversations with friends are about finals.
Seeing a friend walk down the hall? Now every conversation until break will be about trying to one up the other regarding how many essays you have to write and how soon the due date is.
10. Assignments are turned in at the last minute.
Every assignment is left to be turned in at the very end. Maybe you are binge watching the last episodes of your favorite Netflix series, or working on other assignments, the midnight due assignment will be turned in at 11:59 on the dot.
Although finals week can be a stressful experience and can be hard on you, we all know the pain ends at some point and soon there will be a month of vacation to look forward to.