It's that time of year again...holiday finalsseason. I know, I know, you can feel it. The crippling worry that keeps you from doing the things you need to do like studying or, you know, sleeping. The thoughts of failing are creeping into your mind like this horrible cloak covering your mind. "What if I fail?", "This grade is borderline so I need to make this grade." "I can't do this. I'm going to fail. I'm just going to prove everyone right and fail.", "I. CAN'T. DO. THIS!!!!". Then you do it. You finish your exams and you can relax right? WRONG! You can't relax you silly dreamer you! Now, now you get to worry about the grades you made and what happens if you did fail. So lets talk about it. Your worst fears have come true, now you are worried about what you're going to do, what you're going to tell your parents, how are you going to graduate! The thoughts that are now seeping into your mind are overwhelming and you are thinking of all of the worst case scenarios. You have to walk up to your parents and say that you failed, you have to tell them that you can't graduate on time because your GPA dropped and you are no longer eligible to graduate on time because you didn't work hard enough, you anxiety ridden barely there human.

Sound sort of familiar? Hello my fellow anxious loves. I am with you on all of the above. I have the same fears and thoughts every. single. semester. But let me tell you something, You can succeed. You can, I promise. Even at your most stressed you can get through this mountain of stress. There are so many people who believe in you, there are people you can talk to. Nothing, let me repeat that, NOTHING is worth you being so scared you hurt yourself. What? You don't believe that people hurt themselves over exams? It happens every year. Depression and anxiety are two of the biggest killers of students. Suicide is actually the second leading cause of people between the ages of 10-24. Take a breathe sweetie it’s a test, if you fail that’s ok. It’s sucks sure, telling your family isn’t any fun, but it’s happens. That’s just a part of life. Believe me, I know that it is very different to know that and to feel that. So here's what I do when this happens. I take a deep breath and I remember that I can get through anything. My faith, my family, and (don't judge) my pets get me through everything. I know that I am lucky to have a family who is always there for me because not everyone has that. So, for those of you who don't, let me just say that even though we may not know each other, and maybe never will, you have someone in your corner and I'm sure that you have more people than you know in it with me! But...just incase you don't here are some resources that you can use to have that feeling 1. Your school's counseling group 2. Your friends 3. Your faith community or if those aren't options 4. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org you can call them to talk about what's going on in your life. That's what they're there for. So this finals season, when you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, don't go through it alone. Reach out. If you know someone who is struggling, or if you simply know a student, reach out and talk to them. Let them know that they're okay and you're in their corner. In the end, that's what really matters to them. Knowing that someone has their back and supports them is more helpful than you know.