Throughout the school year, we work hard to score well on tests and maintain high GPAs. But at the end of the year, all that hard work can go down the drain because of one dreaded test during the last week of school. You're tired of studying all the time, you're tired of waking up so early, all you want to do is make it to summer, but there are six deadly exams standing between you and the beach. Here are the eight stages of studying for those awful tests.
1. "I should study"
A few weeks before exams, you wake up to the shocking realization that exams are way sooner than you thought. You need to study. Now. But… you'll just start tomorrow.
2. Perfect student
After waiting a few days too many, you decide to start studying. You're in that amazing, rare mood when you almost want to study; you organize your materials, make a color-coded plan, and even find all of your old notes. Your study sessions are planned out down to the minute, and now all you have to do is follow the plan!
3. Half studying, half sleeping
The plan is going reasonably well, you're on track to know everything in time for the exam, and things are starting to look up! But time crawls along and you get distracted, your phone somehow ends up in your hand, before you know it you're on Instagram… now you're watching Netflix, and all of a sudden three hours have gone by. The wise decision here is obviously to go to sleep, and forget about studying for that night. Right?
4. Cramming
Somehow time has disappeared and it's now the night before your big exam. What on earth are you supposed to do? With the original plan out of the question, you decide the only thing left to do memorize the main topics. Once you've locked yourself in your room and sat there hopelessly repeating formulas and definitions out loud for a few hours, you resort to the internet.
5. Google
Since repeating definitions wasn't getting you anywhere, Google is all that's left. Looking up “What do I need to know for the AP Govt Exam” is basically your only hope. You stare at the list of topics trying to think positive thoughts and convince yourself that you know most of that stuff.
6. The crash
You've officially lost the race against the clock and have decided that a good night’s sleep would help you the most on test day. You gladly put down anything related to school and immediately lie down in that wonderful, cozy bed.
7. Nerves
Sleeping seemed like a great idea until you realize that you aren't actually sleeping; you're simply lying in bed thinking of the train wreck that's going to happen tomorrow. The small amount of information that you did memorize will have somehow disappeared from your brain when you see the test, and you're going to end up accepting your fate and bubbling in “A” for every answer, in hopes of an A.
8. Deciding it's over
Then it hits you: your GPA is about to plummet. Who are you kidding? A good night’s sleep won't help, you might as well go back to watching Netflix.
If you end up losing all hope and giving up on studying, just know that you won't be the only one! But, hopefully, you're strong enough to fight the pain of studying, and crush your exams!
