Toward the end of the semester, everyone is looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. When you are consumed with group projects, tests, and papers the days can grow mundane. However, when local parents or professors bring their furry friends to campus your day gets a little bit brighter. And in my personal opinion, there are tons more dogs walking around this time of year than any other time. That may be quite biased considering the only time I get out of the library is for a short 15 minutes of air. Then back to the tense environment I go. However, as finals week rolls around I highly recommend that you consider some remedies and motivations that dogs can bless us with.

1. Grab a coffee from 8:15 on your way out of the library. Take a walk down the pathway. I guarantee that you see a dog, this will allow you to relax, clear your head, and hopefully get rid of that smashing headache.

2. When you can't get out of bed because you were up all night writing that Leadership paper, just throw on some sweat pants and walk outside to find one of our four-legged friends. He'll inspire a smile for sure and your day will be ready to start again.

3. If your teacher thinks it's important to take your last regular exam the week before review week. I'm sorry, but you can take it, run, and never look back. Run to the nearest dog and cry. They are man's best friend so they will always understand.

4. Pet every dog that you can. Their luscious fur can instantly increase your tactile senses and make you that much more creative to write your comedy skit.

5. But if the owner says the dog isn't friendly. Slowly back up and walk away. The last thing you need is for the dog to bite your essay-writing hand off.

6. You won't get every question right on your exam. Sometimes you may walk out and have no idea what you just spent the last 3 hours doing, but that's okay. You will survive. Hopefully your quizzical look is cute.

There is much learning to do in college and from our furry friends. During the next two weeks, take some time to relax and find time for yourself to be happy. If seeing dogs make you happy. Go find them! And thank God for the existence of doggie hours in Jepson. It clearly makes us Leadership majors ready for our exams.