The Facts: Exam week is a very stressful time for students because exams can make or break their overall grades.
Our Opinion: Students should not over-stress about grades and enjoy the college experience while it lasts.
College is one of the most important experiences in your life. Your choices in this career-factory will — in almost all cases — determine the course of the rest of your life. But that does not mean you should take college too seriously. Enjoy it while you can.
The rest of your life will likely consist of even more stress and responsibility. The 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday is infinitely more stressful than classes. Grades are extremely important, but you should not sacrifice the college experience in pursuit of a perfect GPA. The friendships you make and the lessons you learn from are what you will take away from these turbulent years.
In twenty years, you probably won’t remember most of your grades, but you will most likely remember all of your friends and the memories you shared with them. College should not be defined by studying in the library at 2 a.m., but also about who you were there with, as you all struggle with final exams.
But, if you and your friends are on the verge of psychological breakdown because of exam stress, fear not. In the grand scheme of life, grades really do not matter that much. What matters is that you pass your classes admirably and graduate with a degree. After your first couple years of work, no one will care if you made a D in a class that doesn’t pertain to your line of work.
While stress is a necessary part of college life and can be motivating if managed properly, it can cause a barrier between your social life and your academic life. This finals week will be stressful for all, but the students who will succeed will do so because of their balance of fun and study.
If you find your studying consuming every facet of your life, Campus Recreation has many events happening during exam week that are designed to help students to relax. The Exam Jam and the Pet-A-Pooch are two examples that look like a lot of fun. Being able to relax, have fun and then dive back into studying is the mark of a successful student who is ready for the real world.
