'Twas the night before finals, when all through the library,

not a student was relaxed, none were too merry.

At every table the books are stacked high with care

the only hope being that St. Nicholas would soon be there.

They all dream of returning and bundling up in their beds

while visions of freedom dance above their heads.

Each person in their sweats, hands covered in ink,

Working our brains so hard that we could no longer think.

When outside the building, there came such a clatter!

We all went rushing to see what was the matter.

Our faces pressed against the window we all tried to see.

Someone exclaimed "Stop it! You're crushing me!"

The 3 a.m. moon rose high over the quad that night,

And, at first, there was not a creature in sight.

However, as our tired eyes adjusted, something seemed to appear:

a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

A small voice in the front, over all the mutters, was quick:

"Guys, look! Is that old St. Nick?"

"It's not even Christmas! How wrong can you be?"

But the man in the sleigh gave us something to see:

"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer!

Now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid!

On, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch!

To the top of the wall!

We've got students to cheer up.

Dash away all!"

Every student scrambled back to their spot,

As St. Nicholas looked towards them, they acted deep in thought.

Not five minutes later, as our hearts beat fast,

Did he walk through the library, as if he were a ghost from our past.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?

Busy students, no participation in holiday cheer?"

One girl stood to her feet, leaving us all aghast.

"We've got finals, dear Santa, and we all have to pass."

His eyes twinkle with mischief and his big round belly

shook while he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

We all looked around; did someone say something funny?

From behind his back, he pulled a bag, was it full of money?

Out he pulled papers, one for each.

We tried to look at them, but he told us, "Don't peek!"

Like a teacher, he passed one to each of us, covered in red

As we turned it over, we gasped, no longer filled with dread.

At the top of each paper, there was a grade

And every answer was filled out, like an A plus parade

We all looked at each other; did Santa help us cheat?

He laughed again; our reactions weren't too discreet.

"These are from years ago. Tests your professors have given before.

You can use them as review sheets and see what they're looking for.

Attached are actual review sheets, so you don't completely neglect your studies,

But this way, you'll get to spend more time with your buddies."

So old St. Nick left the library that night

And trust me, not one college student put up a fight

Many of them found this whole experience cheesy

But you know what else they found? Those finals easy.

While Santa might not help you pass like in this tale,

maybe you'll find some hope that you might prevail

Now close your computer and get back on that study bus

So that you can have a happy and Merry Christmas!