The countdown is on! Most colleges are wrapping up their semesters and the fight to the finish has arrived. With finals either in full swing or right around the corner, here is some insight to the mind of a college student. Finals can be overwhelming, but as with most things, if we take it all one day at a time and have a little fun with it, the work doesn't seem that bad. Sing along to the "12 Days of Christmas" as you go through the "12 Days of Finals."
On the first day of finals my professor gave to me: unbearable anxiety.
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The end of the semester is always a stressful time. Between completing weekly assignments and trying to finish semester-long projects, there seems to be no time for sleep, food, or breathing.
On the second day of finals my professor gave to me: 2 group projects and unbearable anxiety.
Let's be honest — NO ONE enjoys group projects. We love our friends, but sometimes we would just prefer alone time to get the work done on our own time.
On the third day of finals my professor gave to me: 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
It's one of the best feelings in the world when your professor assigns just one more paper or one more quiz on the week all other final presentations, papers, and projects are due, just so they can have a certain number of grades in the grade book . . . NOT!
On the fourth day of finals my professor gave to me: 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
When a "quick power nap" turns into a four hour slumber, you wake up feeling like you got hit by a bus because the realization sets in that you have just lost 4 hours of valuable work time.
On the fifth day of finals my professor gave to me, 5 breakdowns a day, 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
"How am I going to get this all finished in time?" "Everyone is expecting so much from me!" "I have to land a 3.7!" There is so much pressure that comes with school and academic achievement and we need to remember that mental health is more important than a GPA.
On the sixth day of finals my professor gave to me, 6 packs of notecards, 5 breakdowns a day, 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
With the amount of notecards I have used over my college career, I could easily be a brand ambassador. Flash cards upon flash cards. I have color coded piles at the end of each semester for each class I took. But hey, whatever helps, right?
On the seventh day of finals my professor gave to me, 7 chapters to read, 6 packs of notecards, 5 breakdowns a day, 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
Professor: "I would like you to read these chapters over the weekend. We will have a test on Monday."
I understand I have three days to read these chapters. But in those three days I also have to write papers, create presentations, and finalize projects for the other five classes I'm taking. This weekend I also have to work my part-time job that helps me pay for school, create fliers and attend an event for a club I am a part of. And since it's the weekend, the idea of sleeping in did come to my mind.
On the eighth day of finals my professor gave to me, 8 cups of coffee, 7 chapters to read, 6 packs of notecards, 5 breakdowns a day, 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
One cup of coffee per hour should do the trick. But then again, two an hour never hurt anyone either.
On the ninth day of finals my professor gave to me, 9 hours in the library, 8 cups of coffee, 7 chapters to read, 6 packs of notecards, 5 breakdowns a day, 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
The worst is when you are in the library actually trying to study and everyone in there uses it as social hour. The place is packed at the end of the semester because everyone is working on finals, but it is also used for people to see their friends they haven't seen all week because everyone has been buried in work.
On the tenth day of finals my professor gave to me, 10 minutes to present, 9 hours in the library, 8 cups of coffee, 7 chapters to read, 6 packs of notecards, 5 breakdowns a day, 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
At this point I am used to presentations and know what is expected of me. I also have a lot to say and feel so much pressure trying to keep it short so people will pay attention the whole time.
On the eleventh day of finals my professor gave to me, 11 different study guides, 10 minutes to present, 9 hours in the library, 8 cups of coffee, 7 chapters to read, 6 packs of notecards, 5 breakdowns a day, 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
Do I keep reading the chapter and highlight key points? Should I make flashcards and have my roommate quiz me? Everyone has their own study habits, but does anyone really have a foolproof way to get through studying for finals?
On the twelfth day of finals my professor gave to me, a 12 page paper, 11 different study guides, 10 minutes to present, 9 hours in the library, 8 cups of coffee, 7 chapters to read, 6 packs of notecards, 5 breakdowns a day, 4 hours of sleep, 3 writing assignments, 2 group projects, and unbearable anxiety.
12 pages? That's nothing! Except when it's about the most dry subject matter for a required class not even in your major. 12 pages... You really meant 1–2, right?
