Welcome to Finals Week,

Some of you may have been lucky enough to attend a formal this weekend or maybe you had another version of a weekend getaway from our beloved BSC bubble. Whether the transition is from formals to finals or something in between, we all know the week is upon us. The PantherBucks are slipping through our fingers as we pray the energy drinks last us through the nights. Stephens' is the only pretty part about pulling all-nighters. "I have to get through Accounting first" is the quote of the week for me.

I have questioned the validity of getting a degree too many times, yet here I am at the end of Spring semester. True, I am still drowning in papers and projects, but I am not as dead as I expected to be. Fall semester me is probably amazed that I have made it this far--the same way that I am surprised seniors have made it to the end of all four (sometimes five) years. And here we stand today, somehow having made it. You may call this week Hell Week, but in all honesty, that name has been overused many times this year; it sucks, but we continue to survive and thrive, getting by with the bare minimum in everything and Caf food.

Whatever small accomplishments you have made, rejoice in them. It is going to be quite the time in the next few days so take in the small things and enjoy life. We have made it this far. Life is not the High School Music, but we are all struggling in this together. There is comfort in knowing that you are just as screwed as the person sitting next to you or the student passed out somewhere around the campus. Finals week is a campus-wide bond of struggle. This is something that binds every student together, even if you’re from Samford. Another plus is the free massages and puppies that will be coming soon so make sure to mark that on your calendars.

Be kinder than necessary this week; goodwill pays off. Not being a jerk and moving your laundry in a timely manner is greatly appreciated. We are all stressing out over other things so there is no need to add on any more stress. I hope you guys all get the sleep you need to be somewhat healthy. I wish every student good luck. Good luck in finals, scholarships, applications, confessing one’s feelings, or finding the motivation to get out of bed. Good luck! You deserve all the breaks, recognition, and encouragement you are getting right now. You, (insert your name here), are an amazing person.

This year has been just as hilly as this campus. Papers and assignments have been freely handed out like Oprah handing out cars. Add in a few disappointments and it sounds like an accurate, but a bleak year. While it is true, this statement is also wrong. There have been plenty of wonderful things that have happened to you this year to make you thankful that you are alive. Remember those moments and keep them close to heart. It is all worth it.