I’d venture to say that Final Exams represent one of the most perplexing of university phenomena. Undoubtedly, the experience varies from student to student. Some laugh. Some cry. Some laugh while crying, and others simply remain entirely emotionless for a full week’s time. I like to think I fall into category three, but that’s beside the point.

For me, Finals are a flurry of music and words. Countless hours are expended in the Unit 1 Academic Services Center (the ASC, a freshmen hot spot for studying that I exploit to no end since I live quite close) under the pulsating sounds of my ridiculously large Sony headphones. (For some reason my $15 investment towards cheap, fatty headphones was one of my best decisions in life. I have small ears. Earbuds hurt.) I believe last year’s examinations were coated with the cool beats of The Killers, Jack Johnson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and John Legend, but as Taylor would say, this semester was all about the “jams.” I was aggressive, taking no prisoners this year, homie. DJ Girl Talk, Citizen Cope, The Hush Sound, Miles Davis, and T-pain (hell yes) basically pervaded every instant of my book-ridden, sleep-lessened, academic existence. I’d study with music, walk with music, relax before tests with music, shower with music, eat with music, go on dates with music, fight off animals with music… I’m sick of my music collection.

In some inspirationally juvenile mode, I like to envision myself during Finals as the center of some epic movie montage. A layered protagonist gearing up to dominate a rising challenge, a brilliant Russell Crowe surrounded by a world of equations, a humble bachelor pouring his heart into his work only to surmount the defining moment of his career, a scarred warrior soaking in the aroma of a cold landscape on the eve of war… At moments I can trick myself into believing it’s the battle-ready preparation kind of montage, but on the whole, my journey is more of a studying for my life—preparing for the world’s most grueling intellectual clash the world has witnessed—kind of montage. Although still an outlandishly exaggerated perspective on a measly semester conclusion, in some childish way, this time-lapse dimension paired with the perfect movie montage soundtrack (via the helmet I pass off as headphones) not only passes the time but helps me relish (dare I say enjoy) the workload.

Days in the ASC (even after hours with the workers) and 4am’s at Crossroads (always with three cups: hot chocolate, ice water, and too much honey with a little hot tea)…not to mention the optional nature of hygiene (no details necessary)…

At the very least, finally wrapping your head around a concept or exhausting every single practice problem is something to bite into. I feel like it’s part of the classic college experience (well, what you see in movies or in those pretty college pamphlets)… Of course Final Exams have their downsides. One of my favorites is the exponential decay of social skills. My own psychological analyses led to one conclusion, the allotment of the majority of my brain’s resources to silent reading and ungodly stacks of practice problems inevitably left my communicative efforts at a loss. Mumbling, incredibly lame and horrendously delivered jokes, and aversion of eye contact resound among my symptoms as tell tale signs of a hard working, Mechanical Engineering Golden Bear.

And on the real, our time honored college tradition is really not that bad. Sure there was a Saturday morning where I woke up and just thought, “Wow. Hmm… I’m kinda tired of waking up with quantum physics problems rattling through my skull.” Say what you will, take it as is, for me, it’s just more chaos to relish in.

I began writing this post during my flight home yesterday, a start to a promising break that holds a little more time for a few neglected past times and a couple new interests. I’m reading a bit more now. I’ve always avoided simple recreational page turning but I’m giving the revolutionary practice a shot and let me tell you, it’s wild. Who knows, there might be a few more blogs on deck as well as a chance to hop back on the buff-getting train.

The core plans include home cooked meals, idiotic adventures with good friends, and the mountain slopes, three elements of a quality recharge. Cheers to another semester whisked away in a blink and another successful Final-Exams-battle-montage. With some luck, I’ll replenish not only my music collection but also my social skills.

Happy Holidays

Labels: college, exams, finals, soundtrack