As this semester and school year come to an end, it is not quite over until finals week. I asked a handful of students at Longwood University how they feel about finals, and this is how they responded:

Freshman: "Finals are more stressful than the last because this semester I’m taking prerequisites to be allowed to take my classes next semester. So knowing that my planning for classes next semester could be all messed up and I might not be able to get into the classes I need is really stressful!!" - Lauren Johnson '21

Sophomore: "Finals week makes me feel stressed out but optimistic and excited about the end of the semester and summer to start." - Morgan Garrison '20

Sophomore: "Finals make me feel anxious but also make me feel accomplished that I have almost completed another class." - Bailey Johnson '20

Junior: "Finals week for me is a very overwhelming experience. I think for me the thing that gets me through is remembering to keep my mental health up because it isn’t good when your mental health is down. You won’t learn anything that way." - Noah Jenkins '19

Senior: "As a graduating senior, finals to me are just the last step I have to be done with public education. Final exams are just another set of tests; even though they may be weighted differently than others, more times than not they are not worth stressing over. People worry too much about grades- they stress over what it takes to achieve a letter instead of relaxing and learning what they paid for. I wish I could say 'my last finals are a sign that all four years of hard work is paying off, preparing me for the future' but I would be lying. Some coursework may have been difficult and required extensive effort which will aid in my future career, but any 'work' for classes cannot be compared to work that pays for food, clothing, and shelter. I have learned useful information and skills which will be applicable to my future professional career, but independence and perspective are the most useful aspects college has taught me. In one sentence, I would say my last final exams are a sign that this four-year expensive vacation is over and it's time to work." - Joshua Sheets '18

When interviewing these people, I saw a difference in how they all handled finals week. There were people that were more stressed than others. Although finals week is a crazy week of studying and stressing over grades, it is also just another test. They are weighed more and scare college students, but if you get to work and study hard, you'll pass and they will be over before you know it.

Good luck on your finals week and study hard!