As the end of the semester quickly approaches, there is something else, something dreaded headed our way: finals. Yes, that's right folks, the end-of-the-semester exams that everyone fears and basically nobody studies for are near. Finals bring us down, wear us out and can make or break our semesters; they make us sassier and grouchier than ever. Here are the stages of finals, as told by the sassiest and the grouchiest - Dr. Gregory House:
The professor posts the study guide...
The final exam is approaching and, unfortunately, that means it's time to look over the study guide. The professor posts a five page list of terms, key points and important ideas, most of which look like a foreign language. The fate of the semester (and your final grade) depends on this one dreadful list of information to study.
Realizing there is a lot of studying to be done...
The study guide has been posted and life as you know it is over. Instead of heading out with friends all night and skipping classes, it's time to (kind of) buckle down and (kind of) kick your butt into gear. There are things on this study guide that you've never seen or heard of before. It's going to be a long, bumpy ride to finals.
Taking one last look at your good grades...
There is something so foreboding about checking grades before finals; it's nightmarish to think that it could all be gone in an instant all thanks to one test. Those gleaming, passing grades could be a thing of the past. Take one last look and hope for the best.
Attempting to study...
Despite realizing just how crucial studying for finals truly is, most of us probably won't study enough. The distraction is real, and let's be honest, studying is boring and reduces many of us to tears. Shout out to the people who actually sit down and study for hours. You're the real M.V.P.'s.
Walking into the final...
Probably unprepared for the hell to come, walking into finals is like facing your demise. The fate of your grade is uncertain and the stress is eating you alive. The only thing you can do is roll your eyes and get the test over with. May the odds be ever in your favor.
The professor hands out the exam...
When people thank the professor for handing them a final, it's almost like a suck-up tactic. I'm sure they're just actually being polite, but still, I am never thankful for any test, especially not a final. I mean, is anyone ever really thankful for taking a final? If so, more power to those brainiacs.
Staring at the first page...
We've all been there: the moment when you see a test and immediately realize you have no clue what you're doing and you're not prepared at all. The struggle is definitely real. There's nothing worse than realizing how unprepared you actually are.
Realizing that none of this material was on the study guide...
Okay, so there is something worse: realizing that despite thinking you were extremely prepared, nothing on the test matches up with what the professor put on the study guide. Despite putting time into studying, the effort was fruitless. Now, that's a crappy feeling.
Leaving the test...
After the test, accepting defeat is inevitable. Even if you're passing beforehand, a bad grade on the final can send your passing grade into a downward spiral. No matter how prepared you were, no matter how hard you study and no matter how much you sucked up to your professor or pretended to be interested, it just never seems to be enough for final exams. The nightmare is back, kids.
Grab your books, study up and prepare to face the finals.
