The semester is winding down and the time for studying for finals is upon us. Here is to long nights with very limited amount of sleep. Finals for grad students is completely different than it is for undergrads. The process is even worse for grad students and it truly is a test of your will.

Grad students have a lot more to deal with than undergrads when it comes to finals. On top of all the tests, we have to worry about our jobs, our papers, and our research.

Oh yeah, AND there are also PhD applications being done which in itself can be a full-time job. The day usually starts early in the morning around 8 a.m. and it does not end until 2 or 3 a.m. There really is not much time to eat so you eat anything you can find that is convenient. That equals not eating well and also not being able to exercise which makes everything worse.

During finals an abundance amount of coffee is consumed and the nerves are shot from the constant work. Our eyes are red from constantly looking at computer screens and also not getting enough sleep. It is a test of will and sometimes you feel like you want to give up. But then you think to yourself, "I'd really not prefer to be homeless, so I better keep going."

It is hard to stay motivated sometimes, but you then realize that the end of the semester is near. If you can just get through the short time period that is finals then there is a break and you have to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Finals for grad students are not easy but at the end of the day we know it will pay off. All the hard work and dedication will be rewarded and appreciated.