There are 5 emotions or stages all students go through during finals.

1. Defeat

This year I had five projects, two group essays, and three final papers. They are all due on the same day and they were all assigned on the same day. The amount of work is overwhelming and leaves me feeling as though I will never be able to finish my work in a timely manner, complete my other homework, study, and remember to eat and sleep. How is it even possible? It is easier to just accept defeat and realize that as long as you have these projects to do, my life is going to be rough.

2. Anger

Why? Why do teachers wait until last minute to give out study guides and projects and essays? Why do I need to do a group project, a group essay, and a personal essay for the same class on the same topic? It’s frustrating that teachers seem to pile on senseless work. It’s even more frustrating to know that teachers will take forever to grade these assignments! I make a point to rip teachers apart in course evaluations just for poor time management.

3. Sadness

Who wants to do homework all night and day? Anyone who does homework and goes to classes from the time they wake up to the time they got to sleep is sad. This past week I saw a girl in the library writing her paper with tears streaming down her face.

4. Hopefulness

At one point while doing work, one might see a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Maybe they are almost done with an essay. Usually, hopefulness is a fleeting moment as reality crashes into you forcing you to realize that even if you finish writing a paper or studying, there is always more work to do.

5. Exhaustion

A couple nights ago, I stayed up until three in the morning working on a paper. By the time I went back to my dorm, I had been awake for 20 hours. My sleep schedule this week has mostly consisted of naps. I never thought I would be jealous of people who go to bed before two in the morning, but, I was wrong.