5 Things To Remember When It’s Finals Week

When you’re facing a tough week, what truths do you have to hold onto no matter what? Not too long ago I was trying to hold relationships, school, studying, preparing, finances, and basically all the things in my hands.

Finals week had started and we all burrowed in libraries and study rooms, coffee running through our veins. These are the words I preached to myself then and the words I still remind myself of today, post-graduation. It turns out truth is always truth — not just during a stressful week.

May these words encourage you and your teen, your college daughter, or the girl you mentor.

When school is hard and life is hard and there are more questions than answers, don’t forget…

5 things to remember when it's finals week...

1. Your worth is not determined by your results.

Maybe read that another time or two. Your performance on a test does not determine your value as a person. You are more than a number or a letter grade. You are no less of a person if you get a C or if you’ve kept an A+ all semester and the final knocks you to your knees and your grade to a B-. You are still you — and the you that you are is what people love.

2. Relationships trump results.

People matter more than your performance. Great memories will be remembered much longer than a letter grade. If your phone lights up and a friend needs you, go. Be there. Be present. Determine ahead of time that you will choose your people. That might mean a little less sleep or an hour less of study time, but people always come first. Love them well. Pick your people.

3. Do your best and leave the rest.

Give it your all. Study hard and stay focused. Take breaks to spend time with people, to recharge, to sleep and eat. (Do calories even count during finals week? Let’s pretend the answer is no.) But ultimately, even if you walk out of a test knowing you didn’t do well, there is a small bit of satisfaction in knowing you gave everything you had. Don’t hole up in the library for five days on end only to emerge to take a test before crawling back into your hole. Do your best because He has gifted you with the capacity to learn. Studying can be honoring. Spend your time wisely and then when you’ve given all you have, leave the rest in His hands.

The Lord Will Provide (free print)

{Download image as an 8×10 print HERE.}

4. This is not forever.

You’re going to take your test, turn in your essay, and walk out of the classroom. It will only be a little bit longer. Hold on. Stay strong. Get some sleep (seriously) and remember that finals are not forever.

5. God can handle it.

Your tears, your worries, your fifth cup of coffee and crazy eyes, your apathetic attitude that covers the fact that you’re scared out of your ever lovin’ mind. He can handle your week and He will provide all you need. If it turns out for you like it has for me, He will likely only give you the strength you need for one day at a time. He’s a smart one, knowing we’ll depend on ourselves, our own strength, and knowledge. And so He gives you enough for the moment. Lean on His understanding and His knowledge, knowing and trusting that He has it and He has you.

Tomorrow will come and the week will end. You’ll walk out of the classroom, pack one more box, and get in the car to leave. Finals are important but they are temporary — so give it your best and leave the rest in His hands. Remember to pick people, not pages of notes, and to be present in the moment that you have.

You can do it, but just in case you can’t — remember that He can. God’s got your week, your test, your worries. God’s got you.

You can download the above image as an 8×10 print by clicking HERE. Text is from Ann Voskamp’s book The Greatest Gift. Affiliate link used.

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