Staring down the line, you watch as he winds up, takes a step, and releases the worst news of the day: “This test will be comprehensive.” You take a swing at the test anyway, realizing that nearly half of the material didn’t get the memo to stick around “comprehensively” in your brain. You watch your grade flying into the air. Momentarily, you lose sight of it, and can only hope for good news. Did it fly out of the park and into the “A” range? Or, is it simply a fly ball that the professor will soon catch in his oversized mitt, granting you an “F” and no more strikes? Regardless of where the ball is going, you take off…sprinting through that first test, you round the corner for the second test in a single day. Still, those grades you seek are unable to be seen. You momentarily hesitate to grab another thermos of coffee, then work up the courage to dive into that third final. Now you must decide…do you power through, seeing as there is still no indication of the grade you threw into the air, or do you stop at third and wait to make the journey home?

The approaching end to this semester is just like that of the bottom of a ninth inning in softball. As you stand at bat for each test, you must rely on your practice time…the time spent in a batting cage, watching film, and practicing your swing come into play. We are all softball players. Our batting cages are classes and labs. Our film is the endless stream of lectures and materials. Our practice swings are the numerous homework assignments that we completed throughout the semester. We are standing in the dugout, watching as our fates are determined by the biggest, meanest, and most intimidating pitchers in a college student’s life. These individuals control our future careers, successes, and adventures. Through their classes, they challenge us to grow (or flounder helplessly) in academia and in the quest to find who each of us is as a person.

As a former player, the adrenaline rush that comes from making contact with the ball and sprinting around the bases is nothing compared to the rush from diving into home plate. While the rush of a final may not be quite as addicting, the words “You Pass! Semester over,” are, this addiction runs rampant on our campus, giving us the adrenaline and energy necessary to finish the five days of school that are left. When stepping up to the plate and those daunting tests, take a deep breath… Push your “smart” helmet down a little more on your head, watch for the curve balls that each pitcher has, and take your swing. Connect with the subject matter and take off around the bases that constitute your finals diamond. When you get to that third test, grasp for one last surge of adrenaline, power through, and enjoy the words “You’re safe! And the semester is over!”