Wait, finals are this week? I know we have all come to this same realization at some point in the last few days. As finals are quickly approaching the “oh, I have plenty of time to bring up my grade” mindset has now been replaced with the question “How poorly can I do on this exam and still get a good grade?” This realization is usually accompanied by an inordinate amount of stress.
I personally have had a few existential crises in the past week that resulted in tears (and stress eating donuts my roommate bought me in response to said tears). Let me just say that hormones, caffeine, and stress definitely do not make a good combination. Most of my stress the past few weeks has been in regards to grades. In the moment, it seems like getting a bad grade in class can be equated to Armageddon; nothing could be worse. Well, I’m here to tell you the same thing my parents and friends have been telling me for the past week: believe it or not, it’s not the end of the world. I’m certainly not saying that grades don’t matter: trust me, I know they do. I understand the pressure of trying to maintain a high GPA so that you can get into graduate school, or even medical school if your heart so desires. But, what I am saying is that its not worth the unnecessary stress. Perfection is not the key to success, and as cliché as it sounds, the most important part is trying the best that you can. We all strive for perfection, but in the competitive academic setting of Emory this goal can sometimes overshadow success with stress. School is stressful, but do not let stress become the theme of your time at college. It is all about balance.
After you leave here, when are you going to have the opportunity to live within a two-mile radius of all of your friends, have the freedom to do what you want when you want and have only a fraction of the responsibilities that come with adulthood? Take this time to look around and enjoy where you are at. Take a break to eat ice cream and watch an episode of Netflix (just don’t let it turn in to a four hour Pretty Little Liars binge party because these are very counterproductive… I would know). Finals will be over in a week and a half and just remember, Christmas break is waiting for you on the other side (or Ryan Gosling if you want to turn it into a meme).