Oh joy, it’s finals week. The week of questioning the meaning of life, drinking an ungodly amount of redbull, and inevitably creating an emotional support group chat where we debate on whether or not to drop out of highschool altogether and move to hawaii – No? Alright, just me I guess.

Much to my mother’s dismay, I am a procrastinator. As a procrastinator I tend to do the obvious, procrastinate. 

However, In my almost three years of finals I have learned a few tricks to keep me semi-focused long enough to retain the bare minimum of knowledge that will allow me to pass the class.

One trick, music. I am the type of psychotic person who can only study if she’s in a completely quiet room with only her music playing – not the sounds of pots and pans being banged together in the kitchen or my sister’s ongoing rendition of “I saw mommy kissing santa claus” for the fifty-seventh time.

I tend to become obsessed with one completely random song that I listen to on repeat for a solid ten hours. Last year it was randomly “Castle On the Hill” by Ed Sheeran, and this year it may or may not be Lotus Inn by the “Why Don’t We” boys. 

I swear I have good taste in music, finals week just brings out the worst in me.

Second trick, caffeine. This is where we may differ on how we drink caffeine. I go the old black coffee route, don’t judge. Additionally, I may drink a diet coke. If you know me this will come as quite a shock, due to my healthy living “part-time” vegan lifestyle. 

Again may I say, finals week brings out the worst in me.

Lastly, study groups. There is nothing more uplifting than sitting in a basement  or at a coffee shop with 8-10 other teen girls who are as mentally and emotionally drained as you are, crying to one of our combined pov: “in our feels” playlists. 

I hope my personal “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide” will help you endure the terrors of finals week, Good luck!