Finals week approaches. We're all feeling that sense of foreboding and anxiety that accompanies the deadlines for essays we haven't started and tests we haven't studied for. It may feel like far away, but those weeks are coming faster than expected for sure. But don't worry, you're not alone in your anticipation. Here are a few characters from TV shows and movies describing the process that is finals week.
1. Day One: When your motivation is at its peak
You start off the week right — cup of coffee (or, if you're like me, tea), you go to your classes, and that inkling of motivation sits in. You take that motivation and run with it, get some homework done, and feel pretty good with how the week is going...
2. Day Two: When the procrastination begins to appear.
...and then you approach that period of time in which procrastination find little ways to invade your every day life. Why do homework when you can watch The Office...again? But after hearing the wise words of Michael Scott, you know you can't give up. Some of that motivation is still there, so you keep working until...
3. Day 3: When the daunting amount of unfinished work starts to catch up with you.
...that paper you have to write has a deadline that's coming sooner than you thought. You're already swamped with studying for those tests that have the similar fast-approaching tendencies that this paper does. You're frantically writing whatever comes to mind to save your sanity and a bit of time so you can finish all that OTHER work your professors have the audacity to assign you. (A test right before finals? How Dare They.)
4. Day 4: When you come to terms with the fact that your work is not perfect.
The late nights start to catch up to you, and your tiredness is starting to affect your work. Essay after essay, test after test, you begin to lose your stamina; you decide that, though your essay may seem awful to you, perfection doesn't even exist. Fight The System.
5. Day 5: When that last bit of strength decided to come to you in a time of deep stress.
The God of Death — someone we wish to see at the height of finals week. But when he comes creeping around during those last few days, that hint of motivation is back. You get yourself on track and finish your papers in time and feel (somewhat) ready for your exams.
6. A few weeks later... when you get your exam results.
The results are in; you passed! You can come back next semester! Maybe your grades aren't exactly as good as you hoped they would be, but they're good enough and you're happy with them!
7. When finals are DONE and BREAK BEGINS!
No work, no deadlines, no problems. You can finally live stress free. Watch that episode of The Office with no regrets now — you have the time to do it!
8. When you can finally go home for break
Thanksgiving is such a tease; it'll feel so good to go home and see your family and friends again. Instead of focusing on your grades and the past semester, you decide to relish in the holiday season and celebrate being home.
