If you know me, you know that I hate exams. Even the word itself sounds extremely intimidating. Add another level like the fact that you are taking an exam in college, it is no wonder that so many colleges romanticize stress culture as if it is a competition on who is the most stressed out. And only the ones who stay up all night, barely eat, spend their days reviewing PowerPoint slides, cramming a semester’s worth of textbook readings, and ace their finals are the winners of this competition. Unfortunately, as someone who chokes up under pressure when she sees a multiple-choice question, I am not one of those winners, no matter how hard I study. And it is something that is frustrating because, for a lot of classes, exams may be most of your final grade or all of your final grade.
During the school year, pre- COVD, Barnard would kick off finals week with an all-around beloved tradition called Midnight Breakfast. Here, the faculty would serve students “breakfast” at midnight in the dining hall. Breakfast would have a pretty loose definition in this particular case with things like candy and ice cream being an option for students. However, it was a community event that allowed students to decompress and get away from the library and books for a few hours. Because of online school, this feeling of community during exam week is lost. We are not all studying all night in the library and any other space we could possibly find. It felt like we were in this alone because of the distance that separated the student body. For me, I was spending late nights at home with my family sound asleep rather than with hundreds of other students. However, I was also still attending group study sessions with a cup of coffee and a few of my peers in the class going over mock exam answers.
Finals week is hard and that much harder online. The loss of community can make you feel overwhelmed and alone and feeling like you are in this void. I encourage you all to start early. Starting a few weeks earlier to crack open the textbook is something that is underrated and overlooked but makes a big difference in your results as well as your mental health. Text each other for support and talk to your professors and TAs. Lastly, take it one day at a time. If you do not end up receiving the grade you wanted, it is okay! This is something that I still struggle with accepting, especially being an A student all of high school. But remember that this is just one exam, for one class out of all the college classes you will be taking in your lifetime.
I wish you all the best. Stay safe and good luck!