Hello,

I’m currently sitting in the library on campus. Seems like my second home nowadays. The weather outside is quite dreary, frightful really (and not in that cheery Christmas tune sort of way where there’s a cozy fire and we’re trapped inside because of the darn snow so we might as well procreate kind of way). We’re all gray skies and sullen, mopey attitudes. It’s a bit sad to witness… the glazed over expressions of my fellow students as they wait in line for their coffee fix. I can almost see their class notes sitting in their brain banks, residing next to their mental To Do lists in their stress-induced heads, their brains mentally scrolling through theorems and statistics needed for upcoming tests. Their backpacks are clutched to their chests like life preservers and they don’t mutter a word other than “black coffee, grande.”

I, too, am inundated with essays and test-prep and general despair. The slowly creeping feeling of oh no is building up and I fear it won’t lessen until I turn in my final paper for my final class on that final day before Winter Break. It’s like, I didn’t even realize it was all coming to a head until I glanced at my calendar and it was December already. While the terror is now settling deep within our bones and the study rooms are booked solid for the next week, I feel like it’s essential to bring some levity to the situation before it gets too bad.

Here’s my Top Ways To Not Go Crazy During Finals: brought to you by a fellow stressed out student.

Read a book that’s not for Contemporary Lit class.

Why would I do that? You mentally scream at this very screen. I can see you furrowing your eyebrows from here. Shoulders hitched to your ears because why would I read a book for pleasure right now? My brain feels all mushy I don’t need to comprehend anything else, okay?

I know, I know. Trust me, I get it. But, listen, this isn’t James Joyce or ugh, Proust. It doesn’t have to be something strenuous. Pick up that fluffy love story that’s been burrowing under your textbooks for weeks now. Read a chapter or two and I promise you’ll see that happiness is possible. If Romeo and Juliet can find eternal happiness, so can you! Math exam be damned.

But, really, don’t go for Shakespeare right now. See instead: Me Before You, When We Collided, anything by Morgan Matson or Jandy Nelson, etc, etc. I could go on forever.

Plan a coffee date:

Doesn’t have to be a romantic coffee date. Gather some friends and sip those peppermint mocha frappes. Talk about silly things like your top five dog breeds or politics. Whatever floats your metaphorical boat.

Watch Netflix:

Take a breather and realize you have your life a bit more together than the 32 year old version of Rory Gilmore. Well, she’s doing okay. It’s a big up in the air as of current. Or, as my sister would recommend: start watching Breaking Bad. According to her, you won’t regret it. I’ve yet to confirm. Will get back to you on this matter.

Plan a roadtrip:

One of my friends, Delaney, texted me recently saying we should plan a road trip somewhere. It’s something to look forward to. Something to be happy about. In theory, you don’t have to go on said road trip, persay. The future event doesn’t even have to make it into your calendar. Just the idea of an eventual trip is enough to get the creative juices flowing. Plan a route to New Orleans or Georgia or somewhere. Anywhere, really. Bahamas awaits!

Don’t let tests and papers be the deciding factor on your happiness. Create your own today! Be the change! All those jazzy inspirational sayings! Finals are upon us, people. The weather is reacting accordingly. The winds are now picking up and I can see kids scurrying for cover outside the sliding glass doors. Be wary of your zombie peers and take time to destress before the real stresses of life kick in. May you prosper and receive A’s on every exam!