Hell Week. You know, it's that week during your semester where your professors get together to conspire against your happiness. Is it possible that they are holding non-consensual social experiments, trying to determine the number of hours their students live in the library, existing only on Starbucks coffee and micro-naps? So, how do you feel when you have three exams and a research paper all in the same week? It probably looks something like this:
1. Denial
It’s the first few weeks of school and you probably noticed that some of the due dates and exams are around the same day. No worries, though. That’s an eternity away and you’ll have plenty of time to prepare—it’ll be your future self’s problem.
2. The shock hits
That “oh shoot” moment hits you when all of a sudden you’re sitting in class and your professors remind you about those papers and tests for next week. Where did all the time go?!
3. You endure crippling stress
You start to plan out all of the things that you have to do. With a list three miles long, you start to realize that the space-time continuum will not allow you enough time for all of the studying and research to get done.
4. You must complain to anyone and everyone
If you’re miserable, you make sure everyone knows it. To get through, you need your friends’ sympathy.
5. Frustration
Too much to do, too little time. Why is your history professor telling you to read 80 pages on cannibalism and the Iroquois when you’re supposed to be writing a research paper on the cruelty of Spanish colonization? All too quickly you deem that reading “irrelevant."
6. Temptation
All you want to do is watch Netflix.
7. The shutdown
You become so overwhelmed that you just don’t know where to start. When this happens, you begin to shut down, convincing yourself you deserve a break when, in fact, you have done absolutely nothing.
8. Guilt sets in because you realize you haven’t accomplished anything
You come to realize that, as sad as it is, that essay won’t write itself. It’s time to get your act together.
9. But guilt gives rise to motivation
You work more focused than ever before, determined to get something done. One by one, each item on your “to-do” list gets scratched off.
10. Extreme anxiety hits
The tests are tomorrow, did you study enough? Should you give that paper just one more proof read?
11. So much happiness
Papers are turned, tests taken. Is there a better feeling? You’re FREE—well, at least until the next Hell Week.
