It’s finals time. The week of no classes, 3-hour exam blocks, review sessions, study groups and excessive amounts of coffee. There will surely be moments of stress, exhaustion and mild panic as exams near, but when the pressure builds, remember that there is much more to life than a few challenging exams. At the end of the day, it’s easy to focus on the stress, but there are so many little things in life that make us happy.
1. When your coffee is prepared just right.
2. Falling asleep to the sound of rain.
3. Oversized t-shirts.
4. Eating cookie dough with a spoon.
5. When a song brings back a specific memory, and you suddenly smile.
6. Taking off jeans at the end of the day.
7. Clean sheets.
8. A classic grilled cheese – nothing fancy, just perfectly melted cheese on lightly buttered white
bread, toasted until golden brown.
9. When you find the perfect gift for someone.
10. That one outfit that just makes you feel so confident.
11. When your favorite song comes on the radio.
12. A spontaneous text from one of your hometown friends.
13. A perfectly roasted marshmallow.
14. The crackling sound of a fire.
15. When a text message makes you laugh in public and at first, you feel silly, but then you realize
how lucky you are to have someone who can make you smile like that.
16. Waking up to find snow on the ground.
17. Listening to music in the shower.
18. When your dog rests their head on your leg, and you know how much they love you.
19. When a guy holds the door for you.
20. Hot chocolate after being in the cold.
21. When someone scratches your back.
22. Eating cereal late at night.
23. Warm, chewy, chocolate chip cookies.
24. Walking on the beach at night when the sand is oddly cold.
25. Homemade mac n’ cheese with breadcrumbs.
26. Wrapping Christmas presents.
27. The moment when you finally catch your breath after a run.
28. Study dates with friends.
29. Warm clothes, fresh out of the dryer.
30. Getting a prime parking spot.
31. When your favorite woman is working at the deli, and she already knows your sandwich order.
32. Packing to go on vacation.
33. Getting an unexpected package.
34. Thunderstorms.
35. When someone texts you to make sure you got home safe.
36. When you know all the lyrics to a song.
37. When you’re hanging out with your friends, and there is a moment of silence, but no awkwardness. That’s the moment when you realize you found your best friends.
38. Seeing old people together.
39. That brief moment after you turn in an exam where you feel free from all obligations, but before you discuss the answers with other people (and find out what you said was probably wrong).
40. Taking a nap on a cloudy, cold afternoon.
41. When you and your best friends can communicate solely through eye contact.
42. Looking through old photos.
43. Summer car rides with the windows rolled down.
44. When people stop by your dorm room just to say chat.
45. Staying up late, having deep discussions about life with your roommate.
46. That first day of fall weather – the kind where it’s cool enough to wear a sweater and boots, but warm enough to not need a jacket.
47. When someone types your name in a text. For some reason, it becomes that much more personal.
48. Hugging your parents tightly after you haven’t seen them for a while, and you can just feel how much they missed you.
49. Ordering pizza late at night.
50. Falling asleep with a smile on your face.
These are the moments that matter. We rarely acknowledge them, yet they make us feel something special. They make the tough times manageable. They make our lives complete.
