With finals season almost upon us, you can all but smell the anxiety and trepidation in the air. Nothing can make a student cringe in absolute terror like the knowledge that they have an upcoming final which they are completely unprepared for. Even the most prepared students can feel overwhelmed during finals week, and this is okay. After all, the final exam is a culmination of 15 week of stressful projects, presentations, essays, and tests. But there is no need to feel in over your head, if you have (for the most part) gone to class and actively tried to succeed, you'll probably make out fine in the end. If that wasn't reassuring enough, here are some of the greatest inspirational quotes that I find myself referring back to during finals week.

1. "The best preparation for tomorrow is doing the best today" - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Admittedly, this quote doesn't really apply to procrastinators, but it does. While this can make even the most hardcore procrastinator break a sweat, it can be a great motivator in the current time. Every procrastinator knows the feeling of dread having remembered that they have paper due in 2 hours and haven't even started. This fear and can be used as a great tool though by remembering it and this quote. When you know you have something big upcoming, getting a start on it early will ensure your success in the near future. While this is a rather literal interpretation it works perfectly.

2. "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination" - Jimmy Dean

When life is coming down hard on you and it feels inescapable, that's because it is. When there is nothing you can do to change your current situation, you just have to knuckle down and find the best solution that works for you.

3. "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible" - Francis of Assisi

Whenever you feel like you don't know where to start with something, whether it be a life problem or school assignments, the best thing you can do is start with the simplest approach. Incrementally taking on your problems is not only a great way to start the process of whatever you're doing, but a great way to stay mentally organized and sharp during stressful times like finals week.

4. "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence" - Vince Lombardi

Living your life with a perfectionistmindset can be a dangerous thing, trust me, I know... By doing this you are only putting extra stress and pressure on yourself which just compounds on top of pressure put upon you by parents, friends, colleagues, and rivals. But being able to push that mindset aside and realize that this pressure is completely unwarranted is what separates the professionals from the amateurs. Sure, it is great to have drive and motivation, but knowing that you are doing your best no matter the outcome is what produces excellence.

5. "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" - Audrey Hepburn

An amazing quote from an amazing woman. While not only a clever play on words, this quote makes a great mantra in times of stress. That group project that's due in one day with a group of slackers? That test you need to pass in order to get into your desired program? More than possible.

6. "We know what we are, but not what we may be" - William Shakespeare

Life is full of uncertainties and challenges. The way we face these obstacles are what define us as people. You may know that you are a pre-med student on the brink of failing out, but at the same time you may be the first discover a cure for cancer. Do not limit yourself, even when everything seems bleak and hopeless.

7. "From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow" - Aeschylus

No matter how insignificant you feel right now, just know that you are in your formative years. Be it high school or college, there is no need to feel that all is lost because of a mistake or problem. You must be able to learn from your mistakes and let those experiences guide you in the right direction, ultimately becoming the best possible person you can be.

8. "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou

What society today needs to realize is that these are true #LifeGoals. The most important take away from Ms. Angelou's quote is to not take yourself too seriously or mundanely. We are all human beings with the ability to do great things in this world, and to "merely survive" would be depriving the world of our gifts of passions, compassion, humor, and style.

9. "Change your thoughts and change the world" - Randy Quaid

Life is what you make it. To shut yourself in a world of cynicism and negativity is to live your entire life in the same light. You can only get so far with an attitude like that, so why not change your outlook to something more positive? If you go into every situation with confidence and the belief that you will do the best that you can possibly do to ensure a positive outcome for not only you, but everyone around you, you will have become a better person and in turn created a better world.

10. "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door" - Milton Berle

You can't wait for good things to happen, you have to make them happen. Waiting for something to happen is a surefire way to make sure it doesn't happen. If you want to pass that one class that has been a pain in your end all semester, you study and practice until you can recite the period table backwards or create a sales pitch that they can't refuse.

11. "One of the things that's interesting to me is I find things like caffeine and stunts actually relax me. When they're putting a bit of gel on my arm and lighting me on fire, or when I'm about to go into a high-speed car chase or rev a motorcycle up pretty fast, I find everything else around me slows down" -Nicolas Cage

While a little out of context, this quote says more about human nature than Plato or Freud could ever think up. If you can find something in your life that you love as much as Nicholas Cage loves being set on fire and revving motorcycles pretty fast you will discover true happiness.

You chose a major upon entering college and this major will lead you on a path to a career that you (hopefully) have a passion for. These finals are all just stepping stones to being able to reach your desired destination in life and true happiness. You can push through and you can persevere!