With the last day of classes coming up, students at the University have a lot to look forward to. If you are the positive type, you get to happily do the honor of filling out a glowing evaluation for those professors you loved (that one's for you, John Wheeler) and then clap for them at the end of their final lectures. For the more negative or bitter personalities among us, you get to write a scathing review of your completely incompetent professor (and that one's for you, unnamed professor who hopefully does not read this column).
Bottom line, with classes ending and summer in sight, no one loses ... other than your clueless [insert boring subject] professor, of course.
That said, we aren't at the finish line just yet. No, there is still something standing between us and sweet, sweet freedom: finals week.
Since it's the spring semester, it's safe to say nearly everyone has gone through this event at least once. It is also safe to say that everyone experiences it differently.
Some people react to the stress by going out and stocking up on pens, pencils, Post-its, highlighters, blue books, cases of Red Bull and a year's supply of pure caffeine (a.k.a. NoDoz). Others react to the stress in a dissimilar way: sleeping until the mid-afternoon then sitting on their futons watching reruns of "Arrested Development" until the night before their tests arrives and then cramming like there is no tomorrow, because, in terms of their exam, there isn't.
The contrast is as stark as that between day and night, north and south, or, maybe, first and fourth years.
Regardless of your finals strategy, you are bound to end up hunkering over some textbooks in Clemons at some point. When that time comes, you'll need the right supplies. I'm not talking supplies like the aforementioned NoDoz and Red Bull. I'm talking about the things that will keep you sane when the stale air and fluorescent lights on the bottom floor of Clemons start to become a little too familiar.
First, you need something to read that is not a textbook written by a dry old professor with nothing better to do. My best recommendation is, obviously, the Life section of The Cavalier Daily. If that's not your style, then I have no further recommendations in this department. You really shouldn't be doing unnecessary reading because it puts stress on your eyes, but I can never resist a shameless plug of the Life section.
Moving on ...
Something I like to have with me while I'm studying is a nice TV show to watch. It might sound crazy, but I carry five seasons worth of "Scrubs" DVDs along with my laptop every time I go to Clemons. Don't judge.
I realize that it is unreasonable to expect anyone else to have a man-crush on Zach Braff as large as mine, so here's a more compact suggestion about how to relax while you're in the library. Just bring your iPod. More importantly, load it up with the right music.
But what's the right music? I was hoping you would ask. I don't care if you listen to rap, country, rock, pop or techno -- you will need the following songs to be able to make it through finals.
1) The entire "Rocky" soundtrack Has there been a more inspirational movie in the past century? I don't think so. Any song on this soundtrack is enough to pump you up and give you the energy and strength to "knock out" your exam. You will definitely have the "eye of the tiger" after listening to this one.
2) "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter -- So the Rocky soundtrack let you down and your exam went all Ivan Drago on you. It's OK -- Daniel is here to help ease the pain.
3) "Graduation Song" by Vitamin C -- I remember this song from way back in seventh grade. It was slightly embarrassing to listen to then and the passing of seven years has only made it worse. Oh well, I think I lost all of my dignity with the thing about Zach Braff anyway.
4) "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson -- One word: awesome.
As long as you have the songs listed above, you'll be home enjoying your summer before you know it. With "Spiderman 3," "Shrek 3," "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" (what's with all these three-quels?), the new Harry Potter book and the Transformers movie all coming out this summer, it's going to be one for the ages. Or, if you're not a total geek like me, you can just look forward to some old-fashioned relaxation.
Be safe and have fun. See you all in the fall.
Ed's column runs every Friday. He can be reached at cao@cavalierdaily.com.
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