Somehow, the week that most (if not all) students dread has creeped up on us. It’s time for final exams. At the end of the semester, college kids are typically low on funds—eating Zaxby’s three times in a week span. For some, it means presentations, extra credit, and attending every class to make sure your attendance grade is in tip-top condition. For others, it means camping out in the library and staying as caffeinated as possible. Regardless of what the struggle of exams may bring you, we all have one thing in common: we’re just trying to get through it. If we’re keeping it real, we all see this week coming because…syllabus, but having known the exact date for the last four months doesn’t matter when it’s right there in front of you!
Let’s explore the various mindsets of students during h-e-double hockey sticks week, shall we?
First we have the infamous I GOT THIS
Honestly, this is the best position to be in, you’re totally at the top of the totem pole of attitudes. Nothing can stand in your way of dominating, conquering, and totally demolishing this final. You know it, and your friends know it too. You don’t let your current grade or the fact that it’s cumulative discourage you.
And their counterpart, the I DON’T GOT THIS
I would call you a Negative Nancy, but that probably won’t help with the whole self-esteem thing. You know for a fact that you’re not going to do well. You’ve already asked your professor a series of “what-if” questions. Panic mode has officially set in because you thought you had more time to get yourself together
Along with the QUESTIONNAIRE
You find yourself asking a series of questions, including but not limited to: Is this really worth it? What if I hadn’t come to college? Why did I register for this class with this professor? Should I change my major? When did we even learn this? Will this contribute to my career? How low can my gpa go? Why shouldn’t I drop out? Do I have any special talents that could turn into a hustle? Are those talents legal? Am I above the law?
Then there’s the walking, talking CALCULATOR
In order to prepare for every possible outcome, you have plugged in all of your grades for the semester. You know what grade you need on each final to pass or even ace the class. You have even gone as far as calculating grades for your friends as well. “If you just get a 78 on the final, you’ll have an 89.39, and that’s without extra credit—you’re totally fine!”
Plus the L-TAKER
The amount of drive this person started out with has evaporated and they are well aware. The difference between this one and the “I don’t got this” is that the L-taker is…well, ready to take the LOSS. It’s the perfect mixture of sad and understandable. At this point, you know what kind of academic standing you are in and it’s best to be realistic. This one won’t even bother fretting because that won’t do them any good.
And finally, the “HAPPY” MEDIUM
A mixture of all the above, still truckin’ along in hopes of making the best grades they possibly can, this mindset seems to be the most relatable. Instead of prematurely announcing the results of the semester, you would rather wait for their hard work to do the talking. Studying what is necessary, but not going crazy trying to cram.
Of course, the variations of these attitudes for finals are plentiful. Despite the pressure to perform, no matter what your mindset is going in, find peace in knowing that fall semester of 2015 is almost behind you! It could be your last step toward graduation or just a building block on the way, but dealing with all of the dumb tests and petty professors will pay off. I leave you with this advice from Adele (which definitely applies to test-taking)
HCXO!