Hello, stressed out college student.

I know the days seem to be blurring into one another and hell week is swiftly approaching with its dark looming presence taunting every moment of your life. It’s the week we all essentially turn into zombies hopped up on coffee and just about every other caffeinated beverage we can find to cram a semester’s worth of lectures into a few pages of notes and study guides. It may feel like the crushing weight of your GPA and future are on your shoulders right now but I promise you, it’s going to be okay. You will make it through one more semester—maybe even your last semester. You will finish that paper, project, and exam. You will be at peace very soon. So here are some flowery words to get you through the next few weeks in an attempt to make you feel a little better about finals week. Chin up, sunshine. We are almost done!

You are not your grades!!

I cannot stress this one enough. Some of us thrive under pressure; some can’t work without a closely impending deadline to get work done, and some of us study three weeks for an exam only to black out on the first question. The number at the top of your does not determine your worth. You are an individual human being with creative thoughts, unique experiences, and opinions that matter. Never forget that. Of course it’s upsetting that you didn’t get the grade you felt you deserved but don’t let that be the reason you punish yourself. Don’t call yourself stupid or an idiot. Don’t lock yourself in your room and not talk to friends because of one bad grade. We all make mistakes—that’s part of being human. Just because you couldn’t recall a few answers after studying all night does not mean you’re not intelligent.

Get back up!

With that being said, getting one bad grade on a test does not give you a reason to wallow for the rest of the week. As much as it sucks that most of our grade is dependent on one single exam, it is what it is. So get up and work as hard as you can. Prove to your teachers, parents, and yourself that you can do it. Sometimes it just takes a little motivation and this is it. Never stop trying. Reach for that extra credit and work as hard as you can until test day.

Take care of yourself!

Of course you should work as hard as you can but you should also rest, eat, and take breaks. Although pulling all-nighters might sound like the best way to cram all that last minute information, it’s not. Your brain needs time to decompress. Sleeping helps your brain put all the pieces together and synthesize all of the information you have given it. Without sleeping, you are not giving your brain the time it needs to process information. You are also not giving yourself the time you need to walk away from the material and revitalize your body. Eat good food! Don’t neglect your physical and mental health simply for a grade. Remember that you may not remember what grade you received on your ORGO final in ten years but you will remember how you abused your body if you habitually abuse it under high stress. Ten years from now you could still be reaping the repercussions of your negligence.

And most importantly: IT’S ALMOST OVER/ THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US

I know this may be hard to remember as your stress levels increase exponentially but keep this in the back of your mind. Remember soon you will be home with your family and friends laughing and sharing memories. Soon you will cuddling up with your beloved family dog watching holiday movies with no cares in the world but whether or not you want fluffy, white marshmallows to swim around in your hot cocoa. You will soon be consumed with thoughts about whether you want to wear silver or gold to the New Years Eve party and what kind of presents you want from your family.

Its almost the best time of the year, everyone. We just have to get through the worst. Good luck!