The Stages of Finals Week

1.      Denial (in the weeks leading up to finals week)Finals are coming up, but I still have plenty of time to do all of these papers and projects, and study for all my exams. There’s no need to worry yet.

2.      Procrastination/Avoidance (the week before finals week)Okay, so finals are next week. I should probably knock out at least one of these papers. Maybe I’ll just watch an episode of Gilmore Girls and then get started. A little pre-paper motivation – maybe I’ll be inspired by Rory’s studious attitude.

3.      Caffeinating and Organizing (a few days before finals start)Alright, finals week starts on Monday. I really should buckle down and get something done. But first: coffee. What do I have due this week? By this point, I should probably have that figured out. I know I have four exams and six papers, but when are they all due again?

4.      Finally Getting to Work (the weekend before finals)Alright, 150 words. How long does this paper have to be again? Oh, wow. 2,500. Okay. So 150 divided by 2,500 means that I’m…oh.  I’m only 6% of the way done. Definitely not the best motivator.

5.      Bargaining With Yourself (the weekend before finals)If I can write another 1,000 words in the next two hours, I can watch another episode of Gilmore Girls.

6.      Panic (the Sunday night of finals week)I haven’t finished any of my papers and I haven’t started to study for my exam. Finals start tomorrow, what am I going to do? How will I get all of this done? How have I survived the past five finals weeks?

7.      Sleep Deprivation (throughout finals week)The only way I’m going to get all of this done is if I forgo the whole sleep thing. Alright, that’s not so bad. I can maybe do this on four or five hours of sleep. Maybe even less if necessary…

8.      Pep Talk (throughout finals week)

I can do this. I’ve done it before, and I’ve survived. I mean, yeah, it’s not easy, but it’s nothing new.

9.      Acceptance (before each final)Well, I guess I should have studied more, but this is where I’m at, and I’m hoping for the best.

10.  Exhaustion (the end of finals week)I’m finally done with finals! Now I can sleep…