Studying for any type of exam or big test is no laughing matter. It's stressful, hectic, anxiety inducing, and a few other choice words that would make mothers cover the ears of the tiny humans. Much like the stages of dealing with death, we as students must go through (and overcome) the five deadly stages of studying for all of these forsaken exams. We've all been there, and for some of us, we'll still be there, for quite a few years to come. Fall semester is cracking down hard, and midterms are upon us. And for some of us freshmen, this is our first time on this roller coaster. So sit tight, sharpen your pencil, pour another cup of coffee, and fasten your seat belt. Please keep your hands and feet in the vehicle at all times, hold onto your sanity, and kiss your comfy cruise control on classes goodbye.
1. The Brush-Off
It's two weeks until the due date and you still don't think that it's that important yet. "I've got this! Two weeks is plenty of time to study, and plus, there's this huge party this weekend, so I'll study later!" Listen, bud, we know. We all understand the feeling of wanting to just "wing it" on exams, or thinking that we took adequate notes in class, or that we'll remember the material well enough, or that we'll have plenty of time to study before the test. Believe us when we say that we wish we could go out and have a good time instead of worry over "silly" tests. The first phase is always the most harmless, because you still feel fine and fancy free. Just wait until you hit your wall of panic. It'll get here. Trust us.
2. Crunch Time
Well, now that you've realized that your memorization skills are pretty awful and that you actually care about doing well, you've come to phase two. It's one week until exam day and you're beginning to freak out. But it's OK, friend! Remember? You've got this! What you need is a good and solid plan with action steps, an organized study regime, and a good friend to pour your coffee and thump you in the head when you start to fall asleep. You still have time to prepare, but you've got to seriously get your head in the game.
3. The Wall
4. The Crash
After tearing through your textbooks, going over a mountain of notes, pouring pots of coffee down your gullet, and biting your nails down to the bed, you're finally ready to accept your fate. Your exhaustion based delirium is too heavy for you to push on any longer, and even if you wanted to keep cramming knowledge into your foggy little noggin, your eyelids won't stay open long enough for it to squeeze in there. At 6 a.m. you decide to take one last nap before you and your GPA take the exam that sends both of you six feet under. Seemingly enough, your alarm goes off as soon as your head hits the pillow, and you're off again to just get this animal out of the way.
5. The Relief
Putting your pencil down and walking out of that room for the week is the best feeling in the world to you right now, because you did it, pal. All of the blood, sweat, and (believe me, there were) tears paid off because you just rocked that exam's socks and showed them who's boss. Hey, we're all proud of you so go out there and do you for a little bit, you deserve it! Go and call your mom, pet a puppy, buy new shoes, eat a cupcake, do what makes you feel great! You're like Jack Dawson, on top of the world right now, right? But wait. What does the calendar say? Next exam is when? Oh, come on, that's ages away, you have plenty of time to study!
Now you can look forward to finals, right?
