Getting through finals week is a nightmare you could only understand if you have been through it yourself. Everyone is equally likely to have an emotional breakdown no matter how much you thought you were prepared for it. Here are the types of students you can see around a campus during finals, explained by Hogwarts.
1. The overachieving Hermione
These are the students who don't have much to worry about because they are naturally going to be ready for any curve ball thrown at them by professors on finals week. "Oh, the test is a week earlier than what was on the syllabus? That's fine, I've studied for it every other night since day one."
But don't let these brain-smart muggles fool you. Though they may look put together and ready, on the inside they are pointlessly screaming trying to figure out what it is they forgot to look over.
2. The persistent Ron
This one is a complainer in the most productive of ways. They will be the ones that call a professor out about that test that everyone failed because they were all unprepared. While all the other students sit back because they think it is pointless to even attempt to make an argument, persistent Ron will fight until the last hour of the last day to make that final grade be what he deserves. And sometimes he succeeds and everyone is glad. Five points to Gryffindor!
3. The emotional Myrtle
Oh, Myrtle. When she is not crying in a bathroom stall after turning in her incomplete research paper, you will see her walking through the halls like a ticking bomb waiting to explode. Finals can really test a person's emotional limits and saying one wrong thing to dear Moaning Myrtle can really make a person question their humanity.
It's probably best to let this student be until the week is over. Dealing with their spontaneous emotions can almost be as stressful as getting through the week itself. Just let them ride through it the only way they know how and invite them to go out for drinks when the storm is over.
4. The helpful Harry
This student is every student's dream finals week study buddy. You left your flash drive in the computer lab and they closed an hour ago? It's all good, 'cause your boy Harry has got that invisibility cloak that you can sneak into the lab with. He'll even stop what he's doing and come with you! Everyone needs a little adventure and time to loosen up during finals week, and this is the student that you need to do that with.
5. The spaced-out Luna
You can tell this student probably had a pretty catastrophic finals week last semester. You will see this student sitting near the window during class, looking outside, dreaming of the life they will have when it's all over and done with. Or perhaps they're just thinking about what they are going to eat for dinner. You can never tell. Feel free to talk to these students, but know when they reply it probably won't have anything to do with what the conversation started out as.
6. The forgetful Neville
Forgetful Neville has probably been late to class every day this semester and has what seems like a valid excuse every time, but after a while everyone is convinced they are all made up. How can one screw up so much? On finals day they will come in and need to borrow a pencil and a piece of paper or two if there's an essay. Don't mistake the forgetful Neville for being careless, they care very much and will probably apologize a million times and guilt trip themselves throughout the week.
7. The narcissistic Malfoy
This is a very rare breed on a college campus. We just don't have time to deal with more than a few of them. But everyone once in a blue moon you will see this student walking around the campus like they own the place and usually with a "posse" surrounding them. They think that everyone is jealous of their life but in reality they are the furthest thing anyone would want to be. Good luck with your career in being a narcissist; reporting on what is wrong with everyone and everything.
8. The off-campus Hagrid
Ahh, the student or perhaps non student that doesn't live in the dorms. Always there to provide you with a nice meal and they probably have a puppy or kitten you can cuddle with for an hour or three. This friend is here to make sure you don't go completely crazy and to rejuvenate you so you can last the whole finals week.
