Finals—a word college students know and dread. Sure, finals may have had a place in high school, but, when it comes to college, they operate on a whole different (scarier, more intense) level. Finals period is a time marked by stress and exhaustion, but also by the excitement of being oh-so-close, because finishing finals means that you’ve done all you can do—the school year is over. Completing finals is therefore accompanied by a mixed bag of quickly changing emotions captured in these stages.
1. The first taste of freedom
Finishing finals means freedom, and when you complete that last exam or submit the ultimate paper, the natural reaction is to celebrate. You did it!!!! Finishing finals is the first taste of freedom in a while, and boy does it taste good.
2. The exhaustion
Being done also means that your built-up exhaustion finally catches up with you. Not only are finals themselves incredibly tiring, but the weeks of sleep deprivation finally hit you head-on, and all you can do is go straight to your bed.
3. The shock
While you may have been excited to first finish, it hasn't fully dawned on you that you're actually done, and you may be hit by a wave of shock. Wait? I'm done? No more work?
4. The "What do I do with myself?"
Following the shock of being actually done, you may not know what to do with yourself. What should I do with all this time?!
5. Sleep, Round 2
Upon realizing that there is no more work to be done, you decide to commit fully to your bed, and promptly return to that beautiful thing called sleep.
6. The treat yourself
Finishing finals becomes justification to treat yourself---start making a dent in that long list of movies and television shows you've missed, consume lots of chocolate, have fun! You've earned it!
7. The real world
Treating yourself feels so good, and you've earned it! But nagging the back of your mind is the thought of all the actual responsibilities you've been neglecting. Hmm, maybe I should start packing? Nahh, I need to keep sleeping and relaxing. I mean, I just finished finals! Alas, the world outside your comfy bead is calling...
To all those finished—congratulations! And to those still plowing though, know that you are so close. Let this be inspiration to sustain that final push.
