• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Life / Academics / Inevitable Finals Week Fails

Inevitable Finals Week Fails

December 11, 2014 //  by Sydney Brodie

Shares7FacebookTweet

To say finals bring out the worst in us would be an understatement. Take a walk around your campus and you’ll notice the adverse effects this week has on all of us: A girl on the bus bursts into tears because although she hasn’t slept at all in the last three days, she knows her chances of passing her Financial Accounting exam are slim-to-none. A guy beats his head against a desk in the library because even that’s not nearly as painful as attempting to solve one more calculus equation. Another girl studying biology somehow rips a stack of 500 flash cards in half out of pure frustration.

With all the stress we face each and every finals week, nobody is safe from stupid mistakes. We asked around to gather some of the worst exam fails our fellow students have endured. Take notes, set your alarms and please don’t repeat some of these classic finals week failures.

giphy.com

1. I almost missed my exam

I feel like I should start off this list with a personal failure. It happens to the best of us. My freshman year, I was up all night studying for my biology final. I then decided to take a two-hour nap just before the exam so I wouldn’t be running on zero sleep. Big mistake. I woke up exactly three minutes before my exam was supposed to start and had to sprint across campus so I wouldn’t be late. Moral of the story: set multiple alarms or use an alarm clock in addition to your phone. Also, avoid pulling all-nighters if at all possible.

giphy.com

2. My boyfriend and I broke up right before an exam

“I was waiting for my exam to start when I got a text from my boyfriend saying he wanted to talk. I decided to step out to call him really quick, and he broke up with me right then and there. Let’s just say I definitely wasn’t in the right mindset to take an exam after that.” – Emma Tilton, Junior, University of Florida

This is a tough one because it’s not exactly a situation that you can control. That being said, try your hardest to focus on the task at hand and block out any personal issues you might be having. An exam is typically only an hour or so out of your life and there will be plenty of time to tackle the drama after it’s over.

tumblr.com
tumblr.com

3. I had to take an exam without a calculator

“Last year, I somehow missed the memo that we were allowed to use calculators on one of my exams. Since no one had an extra, I had to take the exam without one. Talk about a serious disadvantage.” –Rebecca Vitkus, Senior, University of Florida

This is a great reminder to look over all exam protocols before the actual test. Make sure you know exactly how the exam is going down and what materials are allowed. Nothing can ruin your final exam experience like missing out on a serious advantage such as a calculator or a cheat sheet.

weknowmemes.com
weknowmemes.com

4. I fell behind in my online class

“I procrastinated my online class and was swamped with work about two days before the test. I had to power through and watch about thirty online lectures in one day.” -Graciamaria Irish, Senior, University of Florida

Online classes are probably the easiest things to procrastinate. The best way to tackle them is to set a strict schedule for the semester so you don’t get stuck with this problem. However, we all know that procrastination happens, and if you did put them off, trying speeding them up so you can get through them quicker. You’ll also want to drink a lot of caffeine.

giphy.com
giphy.com

5. I was going to skip class…then realized I had a big assignment due

“We were allowed up to three absences in my Spanish class, and I intended to use them all during finals week. However, I woke up one morning and completely forgot I had an important assignment due. I had to run to the library (in my pajamas) and finish it before class.” –Radhika Gopalan, Junior, University of Florida

Note: there could be important things happening during those last few days of class. It’s the end of the semester, you’re tired and it’s really tempting to skip, but you could easily miss a big assignment or important information about your final. Fight the urge to sleep in for just a few more days.

giphy.com
giphy.com

6. I got a really bad cold right before an exam

“One time I got a really bad head cold the day before one of my finals. I was that person who kept sniffling throughout the entire exam.” -Alyssa Aguero, Senior, University of Florida

It’s unfortunate that winter finals week and cold and flu season just so happen to overlap. If you do catch the plague, make sure you take care of yourself. Load up on medicine before the exam (non-drowsy of course) and bring a box of tissues. Don’t make the rest of us hear you sucking up snot into your nose the whole way through the test.

giphy.com
giphy.com

 7. I forgot my school ID

“I had a final right after Thanksgiving break, and forgot to take my school ID (or any form of ID) out of my bag after traveling. I got to campus, realized I didn’t have it and had to buy a new one.” -Rebecca Vitkus, Senior, University of Florida

We really can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure you have everything you’ll need for an exam. It might sounds obvious, but it’s really easy to forget little things like an ID or even a pencil. Create a mental (or physical) checklist for everything you need and don’t leave your dorm before you’ve checked and double-checked.

giphy.com

8. I got in an accident on the way to my exam

“I was riding my scooter on the way to an exam and crashed into the back of a car after they slammed on their breaks. I wasn’t seriously hurt, but I definitely wasn’t in any condition to take an exam. Thankfully, I got to reschedule.” – Sam Teneyck, Senior, University of Florida

You can’t really plan for unfortunate experiences like this, but it’s a good reminder to always have a back-up plan. If something goes wrong, and you can’t make it to an exam at all, make sure you contact the professor right way and provide proper documentation.

giphy.com

9. I had a mid-exam mental breakdown

“I felt really unprepared for one of my exams and just started crying halfway through. I guess all the stress just caught up to me at once. Everyone in the auditorium was staring at me and I had to leave the room to calm down for a few minutes.” –Aleonne Joseph, Senior, University of Florida

While you’re studying, make sure to take lots of breaks and always remind yourself of the bigger picture. Practice some breathing techniques, listen to some relaxing music, or reward yourself with a treat. It’s just an exam, and at the end of a day, a bad score isn’t the end of the world. It’s not worth having serious anxiety attacks over. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to your school’s counseling service if the problem is really persistent.

imgur
imgur

10. I got a concussion… while studying

“I was freaking out pretty badly about my statistics test my freshman year while studying in the library. In a dramatic attempt to explain how bad of a statistician I was to my friends, I threw my head back and accidentally slammed my head (hard) into the wall right behind me. I couldn’t see for the rest of the day, and I had to waste time sleeping it off.” – Paige Levin, Sophomore, University of Florida

This is a perfect example of how freaking out before a test can only (literally) hurt you. A few nerves before an exam are completely normal, but going into full on freak-out mode will lose your focus and can cost you precious brain cells you’ll need later. The minute you feel your head start to spin with the stress of studying, take a quick break.

Shares7FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Academics Life

About Sydney Brodie

I'm currently a Junior at the University of Florida where I study Psychology and English. I'm a writer, blogger, professional online shopper, and a serious Netflix lover.

You May Also Like

CM’s Top 10 Best Pharmacy Schools in the Nation

10 Insanely Hard Classes to Avoid at Penn State

It’s Okay If Your Grades Fall Behind During a Pandemic

student typing on laptop

The Key to Surviving an Online Math Class in 2020

guy online

The Transition to Online Classes: A New Struggle or a Desirable Change? 

College Magazine’s Guide to the Engineering Major

smiling graduate

Redefining Success as a Freshman in College

Top 10 Hermione Granger Approved Colleges for Bookworms

20 Notable UConn Alumni Who Changed the World

10 Most-Loved Professors at the University of Florida

red stoplight

Reflections of a Nervous Post-Graduate

https://unsplash.com/photos/Z-ceDRi9fVU

Is There Such a Thing as Being Too Ambitious in College?

10 Invaluable Skills You Get from Learning and Working Virtually

Virtual Learning

Class Etiquette 101: The Unspoken Rules of Zoom

future teacher

CM’s Ultimate Guide to the English Education Major

How to Study for a Test When Your Roommates are Pregaming

online acting classes

The Show Must Go On: 10 Tips for Success in Online Acting Classes

aesthetic books

15 School Supplies English Majors Literature-lly Need This Fall 

tips for online classes

10 Tips for Acing Your Remote Classes This Semester

girl in graduation cap and gown standing with her back to the camera

Go Grad! 10 Ways to Beat the Graduate School Scaries

From Computer Science to Journalism: Why I Switched Majors

someone studying

To Take or Not To Take Morning Classes: That is the Question

Undergraduate Research 101

high school english teacher

“To be, or not to be”—How to Become an English Teacher

Previous Post: « Color Shock: A Resume Guide for Design Majors
Next Post: 10 Things FSU Students Are Thankful For »

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

Chill Colleges
2978

CM’s Top 10 Most Chill Colleges in the Country

climate change protest
308

Top 10 Colleges Where You Can Make A Difference in the Climate Crisis

food buffet
304

Top 10 Colleges with the Most Delicious On and Off Campus Food Options

64

The 10 Best Organizations You Should Donate To in 2021

41

Why Pixar’s “Soul” is Groundbreaking: Lessons for 2020 and Beyond

Featured Chapter: UCLA

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.