Whether it was in high school, college or even in middle school, we’ve all experienced that all too familiar feeling of that looming test that you just know you are going to fail. Maybe you didn’t study, maybe you did study, but no amount of studying in the world is going to help you pass this test because it just doesn’t make sense in your brain. However, studying your butt off usually does pay off in the end, even if it does send you into panic mode. Either way, we all know all those stages of feeling like you’re about to fail.
1. The "This Will Be A Piece Of Cake" Stage
This is the stage at the beginning of your lectures. Probably right after your previous test when you are just beginning to learn the new material for the next test. This stage is the most deceiving out of all because nothing seems too overwhelming yet. That last test was hard, but this one will be a breeze!
2. The "This May Not Be As Easy As I Thought, But I Still Have Time To Study" Stage
So it turns out the material isn't as easy as you thought, but the test isn't for another week, so you have some time to get help from your professor and all that jazz. You'll be OK, don't worry. Just don't wait until the last minute like you did on your last test because we all know how that turned out.
3. The "Holy Crap, I'm Out Of Time" Stage
This is when you realize that you majorly messed up. The past has repeated itself, and you procrastinated. You may still even have a few days left, but this material is hard. You are studying your butt off, and the rest of your classes are pretty much being ignored until this test is done. Why, self, why?
4. The "Yep, I'm Going To Fail" Stage
You've come to terms with fate, but even though you are certain that you are going to fail, you are still stressing. You are still studying when you get a spare moment. You can't help it! You don't want to fail, but you know that dreaded red "F" is going to show up at some point after you take this horrid test.
5. The "At Least It's Over After I Fill In These Answers" Stage
You are sitting in class. Your professor insists on talking about something probably useless (maybe useful, but you wouldn't know because you aren't listening) for what seems like hours before the test before he hands them out. You now have it in front of you, and the only thing that comforts you is knowing that all of your stresses over this test are gone as soon as you fill in these answers. Hallelujah! Of course you have a million other things to stress over, but you beat this beast at least, even if you failed. Until next test...
6. The "That Was So Easy, I Totally Didn't Even Need To Study" Stage
Oh my God, that was it? That was so easy! I spent all that time stressing and studying for that? In reality, it probably wasn't that the test was easy, but all of your studying that paid off in the end. Either way, good job! Just try not to wait until the last minute, yet again, on the next test (but we all know you will).
