Finals week is upon us for many. Others have just finished the long, stressful week of exams. I just finished up my time of cramming six major final exams into one week. Throughout these past few days, I learned the struggle of final exams in my first semester of college.
The thought of finals makes any student cringe in an instant. Those dreadful nights of staying up until 2AM, studying material that you should have started looking over last week. In these moments, you begin to question if your degree is really worth it. Dropping out and working at McDonald's does not sound like a bad option on these days, but somehow, you struggle through the week.
In my personal experience, I have learned that finals week is the time that I lose all of my motivation. I was super determined all semester to study hard for my tests and to do well on all of my homework assignments. As soon as finals week began, I lost all of my drive to do anything productive. I did everything I could to put off study time. Staring at a wall was more amusing than thinking about opening a textbook. I couldn’t help but be completely stressed out from putting everything off until last minute, but part of me did not care. I was at the point where I knew I had good grades all semester, so how much is one final exam going to hurt?
The idea of winter break being right around the corner was not a help in trying to find the motivation to study. All I could think about was heading home on Friday to see my family and beginning to get in the Christmas spirit. It is difficult to enjoy the holiday season when all you are thinking about is your classes and exams.
The lack of sleep during the week is a real struggle. Staying up late while cramming in last minute material sure does not help your stress level, but you still do it anyway. When you wake up the next day feeling like death, coffee quickly becomes your best friend.
I have discovered that walking into the exam feeling confident is a rare feeling. You are never really fully prepared for what is about to be given to you. No matter how hard you studied, the professor always ends up giving out an exam where you feel like you know nothing. When you discover that the professor is giving out a take home test, you practically jump for joy. Even though you will still probably put it off until last minute, the idea of not having to cram in study hours makes everything better. Cumulative exams are the curse of satan himself. Who thought those were a good idea?
We worked hard all semester and we deserve a break. If you’re in the middle of your finals exams, keep moving along! I know it may not seem like it, but these few days will be over soon enough. Soon enough you will be able to say that you officially completed a semester of college and you will be home to spend the holidays with your loved ones. And to think that we have to do this all again in just a few months.
