As the semester comes to a close, life is one big whirlwind for college students. Exams, most are back to back consisting of preparation all-nighters are just some of the obstacles my peers and I face right before Summer. Along with that, social events, extracurricular activities, family, and a little me time are all in order to balance along with academics. My stress continues to increase as the year gets closer to the end, but one thing I've noticed is that it's the little things that keep you sane and remind you that life is good.
Here are some small victories college students are beyond grateful for, especially during a stressful exam period!
1. Being on time for class.
Woah, not walking into class during the middle of a lecture is nice. "Let me close my eyes for a few more minutes" can easily turn into an extra hour of rest. It's easy to get backtracked or wake up late considering you studied until 5 a.m. If only, I had longer and faster legs.
2. Finding a good place in the library
If your usual study spot has been taken over by people who have, just now, at the end of the school year, figured out there even was a library. It's fine. Deep breaths. Try and find a new place to study or get a table with friends, that is, if you'll focus. We all know how everything is ten times funnier on the quiet floors of the Lib.
3. Wearing actual clothes and having a cute outfit.
The ringing of those 8 a.m. alarms are just reminders that we have absolutely no motivation to get up and put on something other than Nike shorts and the t-shirt we wore to bed. It's a huge accomplishment to put on actual pants. And a dress? Well, sometimes you wear those just because, no one likes restricting pants when you can be free. Dress well, test well.
4. Having time to take a nap.
Exhaustion is everyone's middle name during finals. Believe it or not, reading every chapter of your Biology book the night before the exam can be just as tiring as running a marathon. Staying up late studying can feel like a hangover the next morning. Whether you find an awkward couch in the library and nap for ten minutes, or have a surprising open two hours, sleep every chance you get. Power naps are the energy you're running off of to make it to Summer.
5. Getting unexpected mail.
Opening up your email and having a million unread messages is just a miserable feeling, but seeing the "postal" email is a feeling that is indescribable. Surprises from online shopping you did months ago and forgot about or some nice person somewhere, sent you a sweet little letter or a care package.
6. Finishing an assignment before the due date.
To-do lists seem to have as many pages as the dictionary. With so much, on everyone's plate, it seems as if even if they're working hard and getting stuff in on time, that they're finishing everything last minute. And yes, it's turned in and done, but getting assignments completed ahead of time is such a relief. I've never been more excited to mark something off a to-do list than I have been during exams.
7. Not fighting with your roommate.
You've spent the entire year bumping heads and now, the last week of school, all you could ever ask, is that there is not arguing. You both have a thousand things to do, so just steer clear of each other besides when you shower and sleep, if you even have time for either.
8. Having friends to eat lunch with.
Awkwardly sitting alone in the caf or food court is just not something anyone wants to do. We've all sent out an SOS message to every person in our contacts for a lunch date. During finals, you're lucky to even have time to eat yourself, so times like this are really special and friends who like sushi can make lunch even more special.
