Finals week. The mere mention of the word leads to anxiety and meltdowns among thousands of college students across the globe. Whether you've survived one semester or seven semesters of classes, the fear caused by the challenges of our final exams knows no boundaries. The only good thing about it is that we get the Christmas break off, although if you're studying abroad, you gotta leave the country you've come to love to return home. Depressing, right? But anyway, you can describe finals week in any way, but I think we could all agree that all of us go through these nine stages just about every time:
1. Denial
It's December already? I haven't even had time to think about my spring classes. Hell, I'm still mentally in Thanksgiving break.
2. Procrastination
GiphyThe experts say a little bit of it doesn't hurt. After all, it can be inspiring. But still, I can't think without doing laundry, listening to music or going out for the night.
3. Studying
How many classes? When was I supposed to do that research paper? Allow me to bring my pillows and blankets to the library. I'm gonna be having a lot of all-nighters there while when I'm not in class or having cram sessions.
4. Bargaining
Listen, professor, I know I've been half-assing the assignments here and there, but my grade needs a boost. How will I get a job if I don't have a spot on the Dean's List? Let alone, have a GPA over a C?
5. Panic
Why wasn't I prepping for the finals back in September?! What are job employers gonna think of me?! A 5000-word research paper, two critiques, a final slideshow and resumé revision? There is no way I can get all of this done!
6. Motivation
Time to stock up on coffee. Don't like it? Drink nothing but calming tea all week. Rest assured, I'll get through finals week like I always do.
7. Hopelessness
It's the day of the exam, and I'm gonna forget everything. Maybe college just isn't for me. I can try and do things differently, but nothing's gonna change how I feel on a personal level.
8. Acceptance
Okay, I didn't make the Dean's List. No biggie. I could be one of the millions of people who barely scraped by in college, but managed to be successful in life.
9. Relief
Praise God! We did it once again! All I want is my nice, warm bed, some popcorn and Netflix tonight. No interrupting my cycle of work, eat, have fun, rest. Thank you, fall semester, now onto spring semester.
Good luck to all of my fellow college students, and here's to another finals week to conquer!
