It's that time of the year again! And I'm not talking about Christmas. Instead, I'm referring to the event that takes place over the course of one week and occurs two or (if you're on the quarter system like myself) three times a year. Finals. Everyone is dreading them and wishing that they had started studying last week instead of watching episodes of "Friends" (once again referring to myself).
Although the week leading up to finals, and finals week itself, is extremely stressful, you will survive. As a sophomore, I haven't been doing this for as long as the juniors or seniors obviously. However, I wanted to be optimistic for all of you who have already lost faith in your upcoming exams. Here are a few reasons that finals week is not the sum of the rest of your life. And because I love "Perks of Being a Wallflower," I've included some gifs that sum up each tip perfectly.
1. Keep in mind, there were others before you, and they got through it.
As mentioned before, I try to be optimistic when I can. The way I see it, college students have been taking final exams for decades! I am sure that they also experienced the emotional breakdowns, the midnight-cramming, the sudden weight loss or gain from stress eating or not eating enough. In the end of it all, they packed up their bags and went home for break and enjoyed their time of relaxation. I'm not going to say "Your GPA is just a number," because even I realize its importance. However, I will remind you that everyone takes finals and gets through it despite their doubts.
2. If you're a freshman, it is a universal understanding that your first quarter is your hardest quarter.
Like actually, stop crying. If you think about the fall quarter of your freshman year in logical terms, you have done a lot of adjusting, and it is understandable if you academically were not done adjusting. Some freshmen drop a course and some don't do the best on their finals, but when you apply for a job three/four years from now, your future boss will focus more on how you picked yourself back up than how hard you fell coming into college. Besides, it is important to pat yourself on the back, because you've made it to the final week of you first quarter in college!
3. The curve just may be forever in your favor.
Now, I'm not saying go into your final and don't give it your all because the course will probably be curved. At the same time, don't stress yourself out too much. As long as you are putting time into studying and taking care of yourself, have faith that you will do fine. If the course is one of those courses where the midterm average is usually 68 percent, you basically have "finals" insurance in your pocket.
4. You will have another opportunity to prove yourself.
This one ties into point three in some ways. As the saying goes, "It isn't about how hard you fall, it is about how well you pick yourself up." What I am about to say next can either be bad or good. After this quarter, there is a new one (unless you're graduating, then congratulations!). A new quarter is like a new year in some ways. You get a new teacher, a new schedule, new classmates, new surroundings, new supplies; it's endless! And with that being said, any one of those things can change you for better when it comes to your performance in class. So just remember, this is not your last chance, and this doesn't determine how your life will turn out.
5. Lastly, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is called "break."
Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of these two/one stressful week(s), you get a little thing called a break. First, you just have to get through all of this, and then you are free as a bird. Imagine if schools sent us home then had us return to school to take finals... it would be the worst thing ever, because who wants to work and study when they're finally home? At the end of it all, you get to go home, or wherever you are heading to, and be in the company of those that you've missed and deeply cherish. You get to watch television, read a great book that wasn't assigned, sleep in, workout without a strict schedule, or maybe earn a bit of cash by picking up your job back home. The possibilities are endless! And although the possibilities are endless, this week called "finals week" is not.
Happy Studying!
