Put down the textbook… and read this: A Love Letter for the College Students
I’ve been there.
Books piled up in a stack beside you. Nodding off to the glow of the computer screen. Neon strips of highlighter scraped across your forehead, leftover not from a raging highlighter party the night before but rather the all-nighter spent spooning Shakespeare term papers and mind-rattling interpretations of Samuel Beckett’s best works.
Some of you are halfway. Knees sunk deep in the muds of history power points and audio projects. Stammering in the mirror before you give that final speech in class tomorrow. Still muddling through the differences between el and usted. Nosotros & Vosotros.
Some of you are stocking up on caffeine fixes and 5-Hour Energy drinks before the storm hits. A storm of finals worth 60% of your grade. 12-pagers that will have you crawling into the light of the morning, turning your study guide into a white flag to wave and surrender.
You’ll make it.
I know it. I can promise that there are holiday lights at the end of your tunnel. Perhaps it won’t be the grace of a love letter but the grace you’ll gain from the sound of the last book shutting. The sound of the last pages shuffling out from the printer and into your professor’s mailbox.
Remember to breathe. To eat. To sleep, if you can. Curl up on the couch in the campus center if that’s what it takes. Listen to the Nutcracker while you sip a gingerbread latte that you so deserve. And, on the nights where 1am comes quicker than shoppers to Best Buy on Black Friday, be the one to text your friends, “Diner. 2am. I’ll drive.”
I still keep that memory.
Unearth it as I do the ornaments that get pulled down from the attic this time of year. Uncrumpling the newspaper surrounding that time that I didn’t know I’d ever miss. A stack of pancakes. An open laptop. Hot chocolate with whipped cream dribbling from the side. All of us laughing, not knowing at the time that yes, yes, we were going to miss it one day soon.
It’s hard to believe right now as you struggle to swallow every prefix in the dictionary or every literary term you’ll need to dissect that Emily D. poem tomorrow. But the closeness of friends in one place, the justified seeing of the sun coming up before you close a book and allow in the hired sugarplums to dance as you pass out, the 24/7 sweatpants apparel for at least two weeks… you’ll miss it when it is gone.
So pick your chin up from the computer. Stand up and stretch. Take a break to call your friend and see how studying is going. If there is someone beside you, smile… propose a coffee break… treat them.
String up holiday lights in your dorm room lounge and claim that a study executed at 800 universities across the country proved that the ambiance of the teeny tiny bulbs increased final grades by a whopping 73% percent.
Ball up in a blanket and quote Elf from time to time when the room gets too quiet. A few go-to quotes: “Santa?! I know him!” “Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad…” “First we’ll make snow angels for a two hours, then we’ll go ice skating, then we’ll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookiedough as fast as we can, and then we’ll snuggle.” Take a Target break. Buy some holiday slippers for no good reason. Drive home the long way and just admire the lights for a moment or two.
Remember: It is a book. It is a test. It is a paper. That’s it. That’s all.
You’ll make it. Myself, this love letter, and anyone who has ever been there before…we are pulling for you.
Happy Holidays.
This literally just made me cry. I’m feeling this this week and these words could not have been more beautiful or come at a better time. You are amazing.
i <3 finals
Agreed! I laughed at least four different times at how instances were exactly the same as my memories of finals weeks (quoting Elf to bring on the comic relief, decorating my dorm room, taking the long way home to admire the decorations I would one day soon get to enjoy). This is fantastic. I’m going to print it off and send it to my sister for her first college finals week. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
I loved this. It sort of did make me cry. Working in an environment of struggling young people who are so innocent and nieve to think that this is the hard part of their lives. I love my job as a college professor because it keeps me surrounded by this innocence; being amongst students shelters me from the harsh reality and drudgery of the “working world.” My job allows me to be a student forever.
I have also been there, albeit many years ago! For all you college kids who come across this letter from Hannah Katy (an amazing love letter writing force, I have come to find out), remember that you do have that light at the end of the tunnel. Your finals are gonna be great. Your semester break is going to be even better — and well-deserved! So, study hard, but take a few minutes to enjoy the things your school has to offer before the holidays. My college (Elizabethtown) used to do awesome study break snacks in the caf. You couldn’t beat the selection of snacks and goodies that were offered at these affairs. Take advantage of these little breaks to look at your friends and make some memories. They’ll last a lifetime, even when you don’t see those dear, dear friends as much in “real life” later on. You will cherish this time together when you look back upon it. Good luck with papers and finals, and have great holidays, ladies and gentlemen!
This is such a comfort, given that I only have 3 or 4 days left before my classes end. The energy has not been there, but this? This is an inspiration and so, so helpful. Thank you, Hannah. You really should be teaching a class on how to be motivating.
I needed this letter more than you know today. Thank you.
I’m a senior history student carrying 6 upper division classes and an RA job. This just gave me the push to get through this weekend and into my last fall finals (well, before grad school) Good luck everyone! I’ve struggled for five years (yes, I’m a super senior) and can say it is totally worth it to put in the work, but never forget to breathe and spend time with your friends (they’re going through the same things you are)
Thank you so much! I’ve got two term papers, a writing project and five finals all in the next week, and this letter was like a breath of fresh air. I’m grateful to have someone telling me they’ve been there and no matter happens, it’s just a test, and life goes on.
You’re an angel.
This made my day
thank you for posting this and continuing to encourage all us strangers throughout this difficult time in our college year. <3 I needed this reassurance.
"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end"
You are perhaps my hero. Thank you.
Sincerely,
A college student
[...] For my friends who are going through finals week with me and stressing out, read this: http://www.moreloveletters.com/2011/12/07/put-down-the-textbook-and-read-this-a-love-letter-for-the-… [...]
This was amazing, and I thank you, but as an engineering student, I feel a little left out :[
I’ve been realizing a lot of the things in this letter recently as I prepare for my last final exams ever. I wish I had realized them sooner; If I had, maybe I wouldn’t be crying right now.
Nothing mentioned about the math, science, or engineering. Whats up with that? We DO have souls too ya know…
This is for a wide audience, so it’s not meant to be read specifically. It’s a general letter. Just throwing it out there.
Just some notes to keep in mind: college is not just for English majors and the holidays are not just for Christians.
Stumbled across this while studying for the second to last set of finals I will probably ever take. This letter has definitely given me a new perspective so thank you!
Definitely teared up a little.
Going on my sixth night in a row where I have stayed up past 4AM studying for finals… thank you.
Thank you so much! I needed the reminder that a paper is just a paper. I really appreciate it.
Thank you for the kind and thoughtful words of encouragement. My next 52 hours will be hell, but at least I’ll have this poem to come back too….<3
Thank you, I needed this desperately. It’s funny because when I start to get really stressed with school I listen to the Nutcracker. Nothing does a better job of calming me down. Though I may have to try the Target slippers trick
Thanks!
SO beautiful, thank you!
I’ve been trying so hard to remain in the Christmas spirit despite finals and studying for them, but this letter has given me the idea of actually embracing the studying, taking pleasure in working hard for the reward of a satisfying grade! My Christmas lights are up, my practice tests are printed out, and I’m ready to finish this week right. Organic Chem and Calculus 2, you’re going down!!
I read this after following a link from my daughter’s facebook page (she’s a senior at Loyola), but ironically noticed it after spending a Sunday afternoon and evening with my 4 college roommates. We met fall quarter freshman year in 1970. We’re still friends. We still laugh about college. Those college years go by with terrible speed, but some things can remain with you forever.
Best wishes to everyone during finals!
Read this to get away from studying. lol.
This also made me cry. I am facing a difficult semester, and a hard exam in less than an hour. This is exactly what I needed: knowing that I am not alone in all of this. Even though I go to a college of 30,000+ students, it is sometimes very easy to feel isolated. Thank you for your words of encouragement, and for putting some good out in the world.
I love this! It made my day. Honestly, I think it’s the coolest thing to know that so many people out there are remembering their college finals experiences right around this time and that perhaps a few are thinking about us current college students trudging through it all. Thanks for such a kind and humorous, and very true love note
This is wonderful! I will share this with all my friends who are also taking finals this week!
this also has inspired me get through this last push to the end…..I’ll be a senior in six days!!!
Thank you! This helped to calm down my procrastination panic attack. After reading this, I feel like my last paper might actually be possible to finish on time tomorrow.
You’re a real hero. Thanks for doing a little good in the world.
I am currently a sophomore and let me tell you that this just made my week. I have been struggling the past few days over everything… Exams, long lost friendships, regrets, everything. And this relates to it all. It reminds me that it will get better. Maybe not today or tomorrow. But the sun will shine again. Happiness will return. I have to thank you for reminding me of that. No matter what happens, there are people who have it worse. People who have no friends or family. People who have no one to share life with. This letter was the motivation I needed. I cannot thank you enough for that.
[...] I’m so glad that’s over. To all the rest of you that are still in school, read this for some [...]
I would like to thank you. As a student who will be stocking on caffeine to prepare myself for an organic chemistry final this week, it was really comforting to read this and be told that it will be okay. I’ve been afraid this whole week about this test, but now it doesn’t seem so scary. I feel as though I will make it through my last 5 finals.
I am going to share this on facebook, so that the dozens of kids I know in college can read this during their finals week too. I think everyone needs a little sunshine like this during finals.
Have a wonderful holiday, and thank you.
Wow, you nailed it right on the head. Reading this, along with all the comments of the people who feel the exact same way as me means so much! No one tells you how hard college really is, but it is so difficult sometimes! Life is so overwhelming. It is so comforting to know that you are far from alone.
THIS. This right here has made my studying so much better. I sent it to all my friends. Thank you for being so inspiring.
You inspired me just now! I came out of a final, exhausted, and saw this. Now I have the courage to move on to my English paper, which I’ve been dreading. But I’ll get past it.
Much love,
Lisa
(And Ashley)
(And Bethany)
P.S. Ashley thinks this is SOO BEAUTIFUL!
literally just made me cry. needed this so much to help me stay motivated. thank you so much for it!
This literally made me cry, but opened my eyes to the fact that you’re correct; its only a test, and only a paper. Thank you SO much..I needed this this week
[...] Here is the link: http://www.moreloveletters.com/2011/12/07/put-down-the-textbook-and-read-this-a-love-letter-for-t... [...]
It’s more than just a test or just a paper…It’s a collection of grades that will determine, among other things, where/if you attend grad school, what kind of job you get, what your salary and work environment will look like, the city and neighborhood and house you will live in, the education that you can afford to provide for your children, their lives and careers and families, and the opportunities that you and your family will have throughout your life and theirs. Your performance in college is very important; that is, it’s important if you want to have a comfortable and enjoyable life after college.
If money and opportunity and stress-free family life are not important to you then don’t worry about your grades. I’m sure that if your grades are bad, you’ll probably still be able to get a menial job that you hate and that pays poorly, and if you and your spouse both work then you will probably be able to afford to pay the bills and live a regular and mediocre life, accomplishing nothing and living day to day with no plans and leaving no legacy once you’re gone.
Focus on your work. It’s important. Now is the time to create opportunities for yourself, and the way to do that is to get off the internet and focus. Browse the internet next week when you are finished with finals.
Though it’s been many years since I graduated from college, (no computers, etc.) this is such a vivid way to express what goes on today and is so right on target.
Thank you, honestly. So helpful. I sent it to all my friends (:
Thank you. I am a freshman at a prestigious university and am stressing out. this is the first time I have thought that I may not be good enough. My campus is covered in a cloud of stress. This allowed a little sunshine to poke through.
You are seriously the best. I definitely needed this.
thank you. this is going to pull me through tonight!
Thanks for writing this. Really, thank you.
I was walking back to my room at 6am from the library this morning and for the first time I just took everything in and thought to myself, this is truly something I’m going to miss. After college I won’t have excuses to see the sun rise with my friends, to drinks lattes at 3 in the morning, to wear the same shirt and sweatpants to class that I stayed up all night studying in, and I will never again be able to experience how incredible sleep feels after you average a week with 5 hours of sleep. This letter was amazing
I’m a high school senior and this definitely pulls on my heartstrings. Thank you, because of your words, I’ll be able to endure the rest of this week.
I pretty much just teared up at this, but forced myself to not cry. For me, everything has been building and building in my life, and I’m about to reach my breaking point. Finals are just the tip of the ice burg that I have kept below the surface for about 5 months now. In a way, this gave me a totally new perspective on school, and life in general. This poem is something that should be hung in all college dorm rooms – we all need a reminder every once in a while to remember to breathe, and to take time for our friends who we know are also struggling with some of the same things we are. I’m not sure if this affected me so much because I’m sick of studying for finals (it has been a week now, and I still have two days left), or because to be quite honest, I’m not ready to go home for winter break. It’s been this building and building in my life that I’ve been avoiding for 5 months, and now knowing that I have to go home and deal with it in two days, scares me, and also makes me very emotional.
So, I just wanted to say thank you. This poem has reached a new level of kindness that we just don’t see enough of in our world today.
Clearly this person didn’t have a hard major where the one test is dependant on where you will take another year to graduate or not. Maybe I’ll look back at these longs nights and smile, but I’ll probably look back and shutter at the 12+ hr study sessions, alone at my desk. I think other memories of college will be better memories than this……
At least I will have a solid paycheck to bring home to my family when this is all over…..as for now, I’ll die slowly in the misery of pharmacy school
Couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment! I sit here in my room frantically studying for my last of four finals crammed into four days. In 24 hours I will be on a plane headed home for the holidays and this blog helped remind me of the insignificance of 200 chemistry points. Thank you.
I was sitting here literally just about to give up studying for my test tomorrow, so frustrated and willing to accept that I might fail my exam. This letter helped me so much. I can’t even explain how uplifted and inspired I feel right now. I’ve been so overwhelmed and frustrated with myself over these past few weeks and this has made me feel so much better! Thanks Hannah, now I have to get back to studying
I definitely just cried while reading this.
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I….. I love you. I definitely needed this today.
@Jessica I was wanting to send you an email but I got the “Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently” error. It looks like you wrote your email wrong. Can you please contact me?
Love your blog!
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