Finals are coming. I think it's safe to say that that is a happy feeling as well as a sad feeling. This semester has dragged out longer than I had hoped it would. Also at the same time, where did this semester go? Time flies in between meltdowns and triumphs. This semester was challenging to say the very least. I broke down this semester more time than I have ever done in all three years prior of college. You would think being a senior there would be nothing that I haven't faced before and could manage with ease. YOU ARE WRONG! College has a sneaky way of pulling you down right when you think you have you stuff together. Graduation seems so close and yet so far away at the exact same time.

I can't wait to take my finals and be able to full destress over winter break. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I haven't had a decent night sleep in months. Any time I do get a good night sleep during the semester it's because I'm sick and downed some NyQuil to get me through the night peacefully. Otherwise, I'm up doing homework, or just thinking about the long list of things I have due before finals.

The classes that I had this semester were interesting, to say the least. As previously mentioned, this semester was challenging. I was forced out of my comfort zone and had to frequently engage with complete strangers to get quotes and photographs for my various assignments. I think I should mention that I am a journalism major in a rigorous college that most of my friends have since dropped out of. I am so close to graduating it would be stupid of me to switch my major, but man do I think about doing it so frequently. But then I remember all the long nights and days, and sacrifices I have put into getting this darn degree and I refuse to have all that time and money go to waste.

Finals approaching means I need to put in the long nights again to study for the tests and make sure I pass all of my classes. I don't think there is a single final I will be taking that I expect to get lower than a passing grade (C) on. I have five classes and four of them have a set written final. The other class is a news writing class and has a "written final" but in actuality, it is a final paper that I have been working on for most of the semester. Outside of that, the other finals are easy to study for and spread out throughout finals week and the week prior.

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I have found that studying is best done with your notes, several multicolored writing utensils, the textbook for the class (if one was assigned), and classical music. I have tried several times in the past to study with my normal playlist going on in the background and all that does is lead to too many study breaks to head bob of dance along to the song. Classical music is primarily instrumental meaning that no lyrics will be running through your head as you are reading back your notes.

Heck, if babies listen to classical music to get smarter at a young age, who is to say it does not work for someone my age? I have also tried the chewing up study tactic. It does not work for me. If you don't know what I am talking about, let me enlighten you. The chewing gum tactic entails chewing a specific type of gum while you study and chewing the same type of gum while you take the test. It is said that chewing the same flavored gum will help recall your memory of the things you studied. I have tried and failed at this method. I hope this works out for someone.

If I really need help, I always go with a study buddy. I read somewhere a long time ago that the best way to see if you know something is being able to accurately teach it to someone else. If you have enough knowledge to teach it to someone else, you are supposed to do better at answering questions on it come finals.

These are just the way that I have made finals week easier for myself. One last thing that I always make sure I do is take an extra dose of Vitamin C. I, without fail, always get sick right before or during finals week. The stress of trying to get all of my assignments done, the colder weather, and the abundance of people on the study areas all lead to the weakening of my immune system and lead to my recurring finals cold. Keep warm, keep hydrated, and keep clean. You would be amazed at how easy it is to get sick when everyone around you sick and you forgot to wash your hands.

Good luck to everyone on your upcoming finals!