It never dawned on me that even though it's November 15, I have less class days left than fingers on my two hands. That sad realization brought me to the even sadder realization that finals week is coming faster than I originally thought. That final paper I was assigned last month that's due during the exam -- yeah, that should probably be started.

There are many stages us college students face during the end of semester all the way until after finals week. And it all starts with that moment of "oh, crap."

1. Realization.

The professor says, "Make sure you check your syllabus to see the date and time of the exam," and suddenly you're in a downward spiral into finals.

2. Thinking you have more time.

I have two weeks and four days before that final, I can wait a little bit to start studying.

3. The first "Okay, it's crunch time."

You tell yourself, Finals are next week, I need to focus, but then a friend calls and asks you to go out.

4. Say goodbye to your social life for a week.

The real crunch time.

5. Night before the first final

Deciding that you should start thinking of backup plans for your career.

6. Taking the final.

Suddenly, everything you may have learned this semester disappears.

7. Your teacher posts the exam grade.

Here's when you rely on all the other grades you got throughout the semester to pull you up. You start calculating possible grades.

8. Post finals.

When your parents ask how your final exams went.

9. You didn't completely fail your courses.

In your face, professor.

10. Break time.

That sweet, sweet moment when you can finally have a social life again.