Finals are a stressful time in any college student’s life. It seems that the hours of studying become greater than the hours of sleep, your social life becomes non-existent, and you spend more time in the library than in your own room. At least for me, it seems like finals is a time where you are stuck in a never ending cycle of exhaustion and work. So, here are a few things to keep in mind that will push you through finals week right into winter break.

1. Winter break is right around the corner

This should be the most motivating factor to get you through finals. Although it sucks leaving school, I am already sad to say bye to my friends, winter break is a time that we can all relax with no pressure of school. It is a time where we can all sit back, relax, catch up on sleep, and most importantly, not do work. And for some of us, it is a time to go on vacation with our families, what could be bad?

2. The sleepless nights will be worth it when you get to relax for a month

At least for me, midterms and finals always consist of nights where I stay in the library until at least 1AM and wake up early the next morning to study and make it to class on time. But just think, after a week or two of this all obligations are done and you get a few weeks to sit back and relax.

3. Everyone around you is feeling the same way

Everyone should really keep this one in mind, everyone is going through the exact same thing as you. Yes, they may be taking different classes or have a different exam schedule, but at the end of the day every college student is feeling the same pressure as you. You are not alone in the stress and anxiety that you are feeling.

4. One grade doesn’t define your overall academic success

This is something that I struggle a lot with. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself before a big exam and convince myself that if I do bad on this one exam my entire GPA is ruined. This is simply not true. Yes, the grade may impact the grade in your class, but it is not the end of the world.

5. It is almost over

Just think, the exams itself are an hour or two of your life and after they are over, you never need to look at the material again. At least for me, that is enough to get me through the stress. At the end of the day, everyone gets through the exams and everyone continues on with their life, so just let that push you through.

I can’t argue the fact that exams are a stressful time, because they really are. But, everyone gets through it and the end result is worth it: break. So, just try and stay positive and work hard.