Finals season is finally upon us. The surge of final projects, exams and papers makes the cozy and restful days of break that are nearly upon us seem perpetually out of reach. This period evokes different feelings in each one of us. Some students enjoy the flexibility of the finals period and creating schedules for themselves, others panic without the structure of classes and wrestle with test anxiety and fears about final grades. We asked students across campus how they manage finals season.
Chemistry and History student, Andy Hohmann ’26 said that his favorite place to study is either LIST or the Chem lounge, especially when he knows he is going to be up late. While studying, Hohmann enjoys snacking on meat sticks and playing podcasts in the background. To calm his nerves, Hohmann enjoys listening to music and meditating before sleep. His favorite part of finals season is “the fact that there’s no class, it’s the only saving grace.”
History major, Julia Granito ’26 gave us a peek into her finals season. To stay focused, Granito shared that she makes playlists of songs that she likes and forces herself to work for the duration of the playlist. She enjoys calling family members and home friends to help her destress and her favorite study snack is harvest cheddar sun chips. What helps motivate her is “knowing that it’s the last push and that everyone else is going through the same thing.”
Akay Kaya ’25 studies History and Economics, and you can typically find him in either KJ 229 or KJ 124 during finals season. During his study breaks, Kaya enjoys exercising and then settling in for some deserved TV time with a cold beverage at night. He attested that his favorite part of the finals period is experiencing the feeling of acing an exam. While studying, Kaya fuels himself with espresso and bananas.
Environmental Studies major Sarah DeSanto ’25 sets up for study sessions in KJ atrium, and is wondering whether celsius counts as a “study snack.” She uses pomodoro timers to stay productive and says that exercising helps her unwind, but is again, wondering if that is a legitimate answer. DeSanto answered, “literally nothing,” when asked about her favorite part of finals week. Fellow Environmental Studies major, Lily Watts ’26 said she does much of her studying in CJ and her most useful study strategy is rewriting her notes on a mind maps. Her favorite part of taking finals is “the relief she feels after finishing them.”
Marcie Coeny ’26, Art History and Classics major, said she enjoys studying in Sadove, sipping on oat milk lattes. She said she also likes mints and gum “even if that’s basic.”
Lillyster DeVreeze ’26, a tentative Public Policy major, said that her favorite study spot is on the second floor of the library and that she loves using the big computers to eliminate distractions. She enjoys snacking on granola (specifically the “Purely Elizabeth” brand). DeVreeze said that she arranges her study plans based on when she’s most productive — which for her is early in the morning.
In every corner of campus, Hamilton students are dealing with some amount of stress. Whether it is tests, papers or personal stressors, every Hamilton student faces unique challenges this finals season. Take a moment to reflect on all you accomplished this semester. That class you never thought you could handle is finally coming to an end and there you are at the finish line. It is okay to take a minute to rest. If you are a junior going abroad next semester make sure to take advantage of these last few days on campus — say goodbyes and soak in the beauty of campus. Take care of yourself during this time. Take walks outside between study sessions, eat meals with friends and keep enjoying your sports practices. Definitely forgo that extra hour of studying to go to sleep. Do not forget that a long period of rest and play awaits you very soon. This period will very soon become a distant memory. Good luck!
