As the Holiday season approaches faster than ever, college students near and far are pre-occupied with the pressures of finals. Having finals week during the few days leading up to Christmas is very bittersweet. There are so many movies to watch, so much shopping to be done, and many cookies to eat - but unfortunately, many college students don't have the time to do all of these fun things because finals week takes precedence over everything.
In the days leading up to finals, I usually find myself at a constant standstill between studying and doing what I actually want to do. It's a conflict that I know most college students can endorse. I can shamefully admit that I find myself pushing off any studying until the last minute. That's just what works best for me. I'm not promoting this concept in any way, but I find that studying days in advance doesn't work for me. If anything, I just forget the material more because I don't see any point in retaining it that far ahead. However, this method doesn't work for many, but it surprisingly works best for me. Though, I don't recommend it because last-minute studying always strikes up the most stress and procrastination.`
Either way, finals week brings out a lot of different emotions and feelings. For me, there is nothing more satisfactory than completing a final. Even if I underperformed, it is like a weight being lifted off of my shoulders and I can feel my stress levels plummet as I leave the classroom. Below, I've compiled a list of 5 different feelings that many college students find themselves experiencing during the dreaded finals week:
1. The "Oh Well" feeling
Many students feel this way in regards to their finals, whether the intention is good or bad. Sometimes a person studies so much that they just say, "oh well" and let go of the stress. Other times a person doesn't have a clue as to what's going so they just say, "oh well" and wing it. Either way, it's a mutual feeling many teenagers feel in regards to absurd testing.
2. The feeling of being "prepared."
This is a very rare feeling, I must add. There are times that I have gone into an exam feeling extremely prepared, then a minute later I'm looking at the hardest test of my life. Regardless, feeling confident, well-rested, and energized before a test are rarities so cherish them when they're presented to you.
3. The "I'm doomed" feeling.
Some people just know that they're "doomed" from the get-go. Whether they've studied a lot or none at all. Whether they have a firm grasp of the material or have no clue what's going on. Sometimes a final exam can make or break whether or not a person passes a class - and if that person is already failing the course, the outcome might not be too bright.
4. The "I'm shocked" feeling.
Sometimes a test surprises you. Yes, professors do have hearts and sometimes they go easy on you for the final exam. There have been times when a final exam was the easiest test in the course. Whenever I go into an exam expecting the worst, and the outcome is actually positive - my stress levels deplete immediately. However, there are times when it's the opposite and a test you thought would be easy turns out to be a real migraine-inducer.
5. The feeling of relief.
No matter what, most can agree that after finishing and handing in a final exam there's this sudden feeling of relief. Yes, you still might panic about your grade, nonetheless, the course is now over and you can focus your attention on other stress-free activities. For me, the feeling of officially completing a class is quite delightful and makes the stress of finals week, in a weird way, worth it.
It's horrible that finals take place during the holiday season, however, they tend to make the celebrations all the more enjoyable. As much as I hate studying and taking tests, is as much as I love the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction I get when they're over. Hopefully all college students out there can make it through without any mental breakdowns. I know it's hard, but it's worth it in the long run. Good luck!
