Well it's official, I've officially made it through your first semester and didn't die, hypothetically speaking of course. My first semester as a college student didn't exactly go as planned, but that's just part of the experience, right? All the late nights study sessions, having multiple tests in one day, presentations and speeches, it's all fun and games until you realize how much work it actually is. We've reached the end of the semester and everybody knows what that means, finals are approaching fast. The time has come to test out knowledge of what we learned, or what we should have learned, to help determine our final grades in our classes. There's so much going through students' minds during this week, good and bad, so here's a little insight on what I in particular am thinking right about now.

1. I'm dying.

2. Okay I'm not actually dying, but I sure do feel like it.

3. Are finals required?

4. Is this cumulative?

5. Goodness, I hope this isn't cumulative.

6. What is the lowest grade I can get on this final and still pass the class?

7. If I just don't show up, what will really happen?

8.) Can I not do this?

9.) Is the final going to be like the review, even a little bit?

10.) Time for caffeine overload.

11.) I quit.

12.) Who needs a degree anyway?

13.) If I quit now, is there any chance I could become a stripper?

14.) Did my notes get rained on or are those dry tears?

15.) I haven't slept in three days.

16.) How long have I been studying for?

17.) College is hard.

18.) College is a lot of work.

19.) Dear God, please help me prepare for this final.

20.) I don't know what any of this means.

21.) Did I even go to class this semester?

22.) C's get degrees and D stands for diploma, right?

23.) I've spent seven hours in the library every night for the past week, will it ever end?

24.) I need my mom.

25.) Do I really need this class to be a nurse?

26.) Help. Me.

27.) I'm really tired.

28.) Christmas break is almost here, you can do this.

29.) No. Just no.

30.) I have no idea what has been going on in this class all semester. I really should have taken advantage of office hours while I had the chance.

31.) Did I even learn this?

32.) I have three finals on the same day, one right after another. This will be fun.

33.) I have no choice but to study constantly for my finals if I want even a chance of passing them.

34.) Why did I take eighteen credits this semester?

35.) I have never felt this stressed before in my entire life and it's really scaring me.

36.) Can we just skip finals week?

37.) I. Am. Not. Ready. For. This.

38.) And I thought high school final exams were hard, boy was I wrong.

39.) You knew this week would get here sooner or later, why did you procrastinate studying for so long?

40.) I don't know if I can do this, but I don't have a choice in the matter.

Okay, now onto a serious note. Finals are going to be tough, that's the point. They're a test of your knowledge to see how much you learned throughout the course. Listen here, you will get through it. You can do it. Do not procrastinate, no matter how tempting it may be to want to just sit in your dorm and watch Netflix, don't do it. Get up, go to the library or somewhere you can focus, and start studying. Ask questions in class while you still have the chance, talk to your professors, and take advantage of office hours. These are going to be your best resources for help during finals week. Take it one step at a time, don't cram too much on your plate at one time, and definitely don't start preparing the night before the test. Good luck on your exams!