Hell week is upon us, and every student is feeling the pressure to perform on their exams, place the final edits on their papers, and submit their projects. Hell week also has the odd way of hitting students at the same time as extremely cold weather and the onset of the plague (effects of placing 8 or more people in a dusty house together). Despite the freezing cold, piles of work to do, and suffering from the flu there are always small upsides to death week that makes you feel like someone truly is looking out for you.

1. Getting Out of Class Early

No better feeling than getting out of a lecture early and being able to dedicate more time to, that's right, the library!

2. A Class Getting Canceled

I lied, there is a better feeling than getting out of class early and that's an entire class canceled!

3. Free Food

Anywhere, anytime, no matter what kind of food it is. This week our study abroad program hosted a small holiday party for us in the library so we could ditch the books for a few minutes and enjoy hot cocoa, candy canes, and cookies. There's no better study break than one that involves sweets!

4. Getting Out of Work Early

Especially when you go from class to work and back to class. A break to get a coffee or fit in a quick fifteen-minute power nap is a gift from God himself.

5. Finding Out You Have No Finals on Friday (and therefore can head home early)

I would like to thank the Office of Registrar for once. For once, my schedule is in my favor. Thank you all.

6. Forgetting Your Laundry But Nothing Was Stolen

There are some weasels on campus who take advantage of moving people's laundry onto the floor or strewing it all over the laundry room to put their own loads it. I loathe these people. It does not take much to be a respectful human and simply place it on top of the same washer it was in, and not take any items out (i.e. expensive Lululemon leggings, skirts, tops, and anything else that is NOT yours). It is a true feeling of relief to find your forgotten load intact and untouched during hell week.

7. Having a Day in Between Finals to Sleep In

Wow. What a perfect situation to be in. Having a day to recharge and get some much-needed sleep is a huge deal.

8.When Your Friend Brings You a Coffee in the Library

It is also a blessing when your friend strolls in to study with you and has a hot flat white for you in hand. Thank you, friends!!!

9. Finding Out You Have Enough Thrify Cash To Support Your Coffee Addiction for the Rest of the Week

At this point, I am also supporting my friends' coffee addictions with all my leftover thrifty as well. Thank goodness though, because there is no money left on my debit card to buy coffees at an actual Starbucks or coffee shop.

10. Going Out With Your Friends When Hell Week Ends

When it is all over and you can finally breathe again and see your friends and go out one last time before the holidays commence. This is the ultimate reward to hell week.