College is a good time. There are lots of things to do and people to meet, and everything is just really exciting. However, there is a recurring phenomenon on college campuses everywhere: Midterms. While we all know about them, they still manage to sneak up on us. Classes are going well, you've made some friends, you've figured out how to use the washing machine. You're basically an adult. Here are the steps that I go through when I study for midterms. Or finals. Really anything.
1. Denial
It isn’t possible that midterms are coming up this soon. The first day of class was, like, yesterday.
2. Anger
Now comes the rage often brought on by midterms. Either you're mad at yourself for not paying enough attention (me), or you're mad at your professor for not providing enough study material, or explaining things properly, etc.
3. Regret
Now that you’ve felt the anger, it’s time to feel some strong regret. This panicked studying could have been avoided, but it wasn’t. So many hours wasted watching Netflix.
4. Binge-eating
Maybe this is just me, but when I get stressed, I eat my feelings. All of them. I spend any cash that I happen to have handy on the vending machine in the basement of my dorm and hole up in my room, studying and nervously eating.
5. Bargaining
At this point, you've probably been cramming for far too long. You need a distraction. Any distraction. Personally, I have accepted that my current situation is my fault at this point, and usually skip this step, but I know lots of people who go to their professors and/or friends who pay attention in class and beg for help or extra credit here. I might need to do that.
6. Binge-watching
At this point, you just feel like you deserve a break. You are by no means prepared for the final, you just really really need some time to yourself. Or some time with your favorite characters.
7. Depression
There is a lot of sadness during this step. Sadness for the binge-eating hell you've just put your body through, and your abused brain, and your roommate who is worried about your sanity.
8. Acceptance
You’ve done all that you can. Studied all the material that was available to you, stayed up late studying when you could have been going out. It's time to take your midterms and see what happens. Maybe they'll go great! Maybe you'll have an existential life crisis! Either way, good luck.
