Finals Frenzy Before Festivities

By Jaclyn Hetzler

The second week of December is the time when students feel the full effects of finals frenzy – the lack of sleep, missed meals, and hours upon hours of papers, group projects and exams that span for a period lasting over a week. From the time they get back from Thanksgiving to the day of their last exam, students are busy meeting study abroad application deadlines, consulting teachers about make-up work and completing miscellaneous odds and ends. All of these tasks must be accomplished without catching a dreaded cold, or even worse, H1N1.

“During the last few weeks of the semester, it’s impossible to get everything you need to get accomplished finished,” said Katie McEntyre, a junior. “The pressure to hand projects and papers in on time, in addition to catching up on class readings is a whole lot of work to have to do at once.”

Especially during finals week, the Loyola Notre Dame Library sees an influx of anxious students like no other time during the academic year. This past Saturday, December 12th and Sunday the 13th all three stories of the library were packed with students and their laptops. From business stats to public speaking, it seems everyone has a final of some sort.

“I had two different group projects at once, for two different classes,” said Casey Andersen, a sophomore. “Trying to coordinate when people were available to meet was nearly impossible, on top of the other work I had to do. I’m so ready for Christmas break!”

Of course, getting sick slows down the whole process. With sore throats and other viruses going around, it’s difficult to steer clear of germs that are so prevalent in the winter season.

Sophomore Janie Evans complained about her present health concerns. “I think I’m coming down with a cold,” she said. “I’m taking Cold-Eeze like every 4 hours to try and stop this thing, but who knows. The last thing I really need right now is to get sick!”

Between health concerns, projects, papers and finals, students are just trying to make it through the end of the semester. “I can’t wait to go home!” said McEntyre. “I need time to recooperate!”


*Photo Source - http://www.loyola.edu/AASC