You can’t remember the last time you slept more than six hours, you’re no longer sure if “free time” actually exists or if it's just an urban legend and your Dutch Bros punch card is filling up more rapidly than ever. You know what that means… It’s the days leading up to finals week.
You’re stressed out, right? That’s probably for one of two reasons: 1. You have a lot of tests, papers and projects coming up, but you’re procrastinating on all of it, lost in dreams about summer. Or 2. You have a lot of tests, papers and projects coming up, and you’re absolutely drowning in the amount of work you have to do. (Or, let’s be real, you’re probably experiencing a combination of the two.)
First of all, calm down. Relax. It’s going to be OK.
I’m with you. I know that summer is just a week away — a time when I won’t have to take notes, write essays or work on group projects for months. I can feel that freedom coming, and it makes my productivity shut down. Resist this. I can. You can. We can do this. We only need to summon one more week’s worth of productivity! Gather up all the energy you have, and pour it into the quality studying and writing needed for these last few days! You’ve worked hard all semester; don’t throw it away by getting lazy these last few days.
If you’re spending every waking moment (and every sleeping moment) studying, writing, reading and preparing for the intellectual storm the next week is going to bring, relax. Set aside a little bit of time to calm down. Take a walk, read a few more online articles, go out for coffee with a friend or roll around pathetically on the floor of your dorm—whatever it takes to de-stress for just a few minutes. You can push yourself but not over the edge of insanity, please. "Staying focused" and "running yourself into the ground" are two different things. Be healthy.
Most of all, during this stressful time, don’t forget about how fortunate you are. So many people don’t have the opportunity for a college education, but here you are, kicking butt at college, hopefully studying something you love. Don’t lose sight of why you’re at school. You’re probably here because you care about getting an education and you love learning about your field. Don’t let the stress of finals week make you forget that. You are absolutely blessed, even if you’re experiencing a busy time right now.
Just remember: you got this. Take those tests, slay those papers, fill up that Dutch Bros punch card and GET THAT FREE 11TH DRINK. I believe in you.
