As the semester comes to an end and finals are drawing nearer, stress and excitement is running high. Summer is coming, and the recent warm weather is a teasing reminder of that. With just a few more weeks of college to endure, here are some thoughts that are currently running through everyone's heads.
1. What's the lowest grade I can possibly get on this final and still pass the course? 
Why put in maximum effort to pass a course when you can put in minimal effort to pass a course? We've all thought about how little effort we can get away with putting into something while still coming out "successful," but you've all made it this far. Don't quit now. There's just a few more weeks and a few more classes until freedom. Study hard now so that you can party hard later (once you've passed all your courses).
2. Budgeting your meal plan.
You either have 100 meal swipes left, or you have one. For those of you who didn't ration out your meal swipes and dining dollars, get ready to beg for some from the ones who did. In the mean time, scrape up some ramen and go to events with free food. And for those of you with a surplus of swipes left, get ready to buy out the dining halls in these last few weeks. If you don't use it, it won't transfer over to the next semester.
3. So I guess I have these journals that I was supposed to be doing over the entire semester...
There's nothing more stressful than receiving a last minute reminder for a forgotten assignment that was mentioned once at the beginning of the year. There's really no excuse, since it was on the syllabus and the teacher probably mentioned it once or twice, but realizing you have to do a semester's worth of assignments in one day is probably the lowest moment of the year.
4. I have to somehow survive the next few weeks with this $10 bill.
It's the end of the semester, and whatever funds you had are probably starting to run very low right about now. With just a few weeks left, there's really no point in sending a plea home or withdrawing from your savings. Whatever money you have stuffed in your pockets or crumpled in you wallet is going to have to make do.
5. I need to stock up on coffee and energy drinks.
There's nothing you can count on more than caffeine to get you through the all-nighters you need to pull in order to complete all the assignments that have built up over time.
6. I'm going to be efficient and study at the library every day!
I've broken this promise to myself on countless occasions. I always make plans to study and do my work in a timely manner, but somehow I end up doing absolutely nothing instead. Oops.
7. I shouldn't have waited until the last minute to start this paper...
No, you shouldn't have. But you did...and you probably will next time. I have always, and most likely always will, wait until the last minute to do everything. I don't have a procrastination problem, though...If I do, I'll deal with it later.
8. Stress eating is real.
This time of the semester, I'm not sure if I'm actually eating because I'm hungry or if I'm just eating because I'm stressed. However, the mindless and compulsive eating and the fact that I just had two pizzas is probably a good clue.
9. I'm going to nap to avoid my responsibilities.
Because if you ignore your responsibilities, then they don't exist. And you don't have responsibilities in your dreams.
10. I can almost taste a home cooked meal...
After two semesters of almost nothing but college food and fast food, the thought of a home cooked meal (or even just real food) is enough to make your mouth water, and almost enough to make your digestive system forgive you.
11. Summer is just around the corner.
The weather is getting warmer and the leaves on trees are beginning to grow back. Summer is just around the corner, and you only have to endure a few more weeks of course work until you're free to spend time relaxing under the sun!
