It's finals week, which means....stress. With stress, comes grief. You're grieving a lot, loss of freedom, loss of time, and loss of sleep. Spring semester is especially hard because, on top of studying and taking your finals, you also have to pack all of your stuff up!
Now I don't know about you, but I am an acquirer-er, aka I end up with a lot of stuff somehow, even if I am actively not trying to acquire stuff. I wouldn't call it hoarding, because I have control of it, but I definitely end up with a lot of stuff.
So while dealing with all of that, you get stressed, you get upset. All I could think about while feeling all of these emotions is the cycle of grief, and how eerily it works with a college student's finals week. I will also be illustrating my point with Meredith Grey of Greys Anatomy, arguably the tv character who has gone through the most problems and pain in her fictional life.
1. Denial
Easily the most common stage, everyone goes through denial. You think "Oh I have a week to study." "I don't have to study that hard for this exam." "I can cram before." Everyone THINKS they can do fine on certain finals without studying. Do yourself a favor and study hard, regardless of all the hypotheticals.
2. Isolation
You start studying, and you start studying hard. You start pulling back from everyone around you. While the focus is good, you need to also remember your friends and family will be there for you too, and you'll probably need them.
3. Anger
You are frustrated with the amount you have to study. You are frustrated with yourself for not trying harder at the beginning of the semester. You are angry that you just aren't getting the material. It's hard to remember sometimes, but stay positive. It's a week. What you've done in the past cannot be changed now and all you can do is hope for the best.
4. Bargaining
A lot of bargaining techniques come in the form of "if only" statements. If only I picked earlier to study. If only I had done the extra credit. If only I tried harder. We use these statements to try and attempt to reason with ourselves, but we know it won't change without effort. Don't bargain with yourself, do it before it's too late.
5. Depression
Not only is this another common sign, but it's also a sign that something could be a lot worse. Being sad is a real feeling, being depressed is a real feeling. If your sadness is continuing after finals are over, please consider your mental health. I'm not a professional, but please take time for yourself.
6. Acceptance
As soon as you can accept those finals are a hard part of your life, the easier they will be on you. College is hard. Being an adult is hard. Despite all of that, you will be okay. You will make it through. Study hard, and you will be fine.
School is hard, don't make it any harder on yourself than you have to. Study, make time for yourself and don't push people away and you can rock your finals!
