For the past week or so, the only topic I’ve been able to properly talk about is finals. Final projects, papers, presentations and exams have been the preeminent subject of every conversation I’ve had. I think the people in my life may put a moratorium on the word “finals.” In a bittersweet twist, I realized at some point during my ceaseless complaining that I would never have to do this again. I wouldn’t have to book a study room in Dirac or Strozier in the wee hours of the morning or make flashcards ever again.
It was a bittersweet feeling. The joy of never having to take an extensive test in an unfamiliar room at a non-class time was quickly overshadowed by melancholy over finally letting go of the greatest adventure of my life, my time at Florida State University (FSU). In honor of my final finals, here are four things that finals have taught me.
- You are smarter and more capable than you think you are.
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To quote my therapist, “give yourself a break.” We’re all human and prone to making mistakes or missteps. Struggling with a concept or a paper doesn’t make you unintelligent or incapable, it just makes you human. Being in college, especially during a pandemic, isn’t an easy feat. The mere fact that you’ve made it this far is evidence enough of your capability.
- Give yourself more time than you need.
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As a master procrastinator, I struggle with this one a lot. I genuinely believe that I can complete almost any task in 5 minutes, but with finals or most things in life, that is not the case. Aside from not overloading your brain at the end, giving yourself ample time to prepare is a great way to account for any curveballs that life tosses your way. I’ve also found that when I’m not rushing, I can ward off a tinge of anxiety. There is still some there, but there’s a certain calm that comes with being well-timed that causes me to change my procrastinating ways.
- Don’t underestimate the power of sleep, water and food.
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The classic vignette of the stressed-out college student buried behind books is a very unhealthy and unhelpful image to promote. To be frank, you would die quickly without these three things and, weirdly, it seems normalized to deprive your body of things it needs for an extended period of time to score a little higher. Your body is a complex machine that works best when all of its needs are met. If you buy a car and never put gas in it, you can’t be too shocked when it doesn’t start.
- Give yourself grace.
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Finals week is a tricky week. Give yourself grace and kindness when dealing with it. You might feel anxious, overwhelmed or even tempted to quit. Honor your body and mind and give it grace. If you feel like you need to stop, do so. If you want to take a break, do it. Our bodies communicate with us and they generally know what we need. Listen to them. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to finals and doing what feels good for your mind and body is the best way to get through it.
By this time next week, I hope to implement my own advice in my life. I know I’ll struggle with No. 2 the most, but I look forward to making my final finals the best ones yet and walking down the stage.
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