As I am sitting here in the library contemplating how I’m going to get through the next two weeks, I’ve come to a conclusion: Dears, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Syllabus Week anymore. The time has come, and exam week is approaching quickly. There are papers to be written, tests to be taken and tears to be cried. Although we find ourselves saying, “There’s no place like home,” we cannot simply tap our perfectly glittered, red shoes together in hopes of finding ourselves in bed in our hometowns. If we make it to the end, we can consider this a terrible nightmare, and we will be at home with our furry loved ones. 

Though the Wicked Witch who thought final exams were a magnificent idea will be saying, “I’ll get you, my pretty. And your little classmates, too,” there is still hope for us all. You’ve always had the power to do well, my dears; you just had to learn it for yourself. You’ve sat through class, you’ve done the homework and you’ve studied hard — exam week isn’t going to kill you. You may gain a few pounds from stress eating, but it’s not going to kill you.

It’s not where you go; it’s who you meet along the way. Cooper will be filled with people who have no idea they are on the fourth floor when they walk into the library, so studying there may not be the best place. It doesn’t matter where you go to study as long as you have classmates along the way to go with you to the Emerald City of A’s. I have found the best place to go to study is in your room where you can be comfortable. It’s also nice that if you feel like going to sleep, you’re only a few steps away, instead of a 10-minute walk or drive. 

We’re all off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard who is going to save us from failing our classes: our professors. Most of the professors at Clemson are more than willing to talk through final papers and go over exam material if you are feeling confused. Don’t be silly; go talk to them!

Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they? I have learned not to listen to the PRTM majors complain about not going to Disney World and having such a hard life. I, on the other hand, have three papers to write and still exams to take. You are capable of more than you know. You can pass your classes and keep your scholarships. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, so sharpen your pencils, study until you feel confident and try your best to get through exams.

I feel like final exam week is the time when the Wicked Witch is pulling out the flying monkeys to try to scare us away, but fear not. You’re going to drop the house on finals, and your happy tears will melt the Wicked Witch.

So always follow your yellow brick road, no matter where it takes you. You are prepared, and you are going to do great on exams. Believe in yourself, and make sure to have people holding your hand and going with you on your journey to A’s. Good luck on finals, my dears.