The Miracle of Finals Week

Every year around this time, Jews across the world gather to celebrate and tell the story of "the Miracle of Channukah". That story is one of bravery and overcoming of odds, as the jews fought back against and defeated their oppressive king. They re-lit the temple's eternal flame, but found only enough oil to support the flame for one day. The miracle of Channukah is that the oil lasted for 8 days instead of 1 - enough time for more oil to be made and further keep the flame lit. In a time of need, there was an answer, and in times of despair, there was hope. But what is also important to tell, is "The Miracle of Finals Week".

1. For 4 months, tyrannical professors gave assignments, readings, projects, papers, sandwiched between exams.

GIPHY / Via giphy.com

It wasn't fair. There was only enough time to do last week's reading, 2 classes too late, let alone "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". (Unless you are in ENGLIT 0647. Anyone?)

2. Students fought back, they studied hard.

Determined to get good grades, it wasn't easy. In fact it was quite ugly at times. No one is still really sure how you managed to present two projects for the same class in one day, getting only 90 minutes of sleep the night before. And of course, there was that 1 mid-term which you forgot you had until the day of. Thank goodness each MT is only like 90% of the gra- ....

*weeps*

3. BUT VICTORIOUS, you made it through the last week of classes! Praise be unto the calendar!

Dave Dicello / Via pbs.twimg.com

Why doesn’t Cathy shine victory lights on the last Friday of the semester. For students, making it through the semester is definitely a win of some sorts! You succeeded on most of your midterms, cue the Finals Friday parties... But the job isn't done yet.

4. Going home to your dog (and family too, right?) is now only a week away. Figures you have a Saturday final...

GIPHY / Via giphy.com

Time to step it up a notch- "you've got this!" because it's only one more week. For how long can your oil last?

5. Day 2.5 of Finals week: things aren't looking good.

GIPHY / Via giphy.com

Supplies running low, motivation running away. You've eaten microwave easy-mac for 3 of your last 5 meals. Sorrento's for the other 2. What does life even right now? Is this calc or philosophy? Why am I reading this book this book that doesn't have any pages in it?! I can't believe I missed the deadline to reschedule one of my three finals this Thursday.

6. Day 4 of Finals week: You and your friends have become like family.

GIPHY / Via giphy.com

Your friends haven't left your side and you haven't left theirs. You've inadvertently celebrated channukah by eating only fried foods the entire week, mostly out of lack of time. Though through it all, you've grown closer, and you'll always have memories of the library hours you spent together - especially when one of your friends tried to sleep on the floor of hillman for an hour, underneath a table in a sleeping bag he brought with him. He thought it would be darker under there...Your support for each other is high, your bonds unbreakable.

7. After 108 years, I mean 8 days (Saturday to Saturday), it's finally over.

MLB.com / Via giphy.com

CONGRATULATIONS! You're done! School is over (for a few weeks), your oil lasted for the entire week, your spirit bent but did not break. Time to celebrate for a bit before packing up to leave for home.

8. Coming back to your apartment, the quiet of post-finals is sad, but the promise of a new semester, some time off, and eternal sleep awaits you.

Despite everything, you can't wait to get back at it next semester. While the eternal flame is lit, you shall be eternally sleeping, at least until spring classes begin on January 4th.

9. So this finals week, be the oil from the 8 days of channukah. Shine brightly even when you don't think you can make it all the way, and rest assured that your flame will never be extinguished. Happy Channukah and good luck on your final stretch!