Finals aren't the End | Sahana Narayanan

In a world where grades apparently determine the course of our adult life, and time to dwell freely in our imagination is scarce, we often lose sight of the bigger, more genuine picture: Life is short. We spend countless hours pouring over our textbooks, hoping to find some relief in a letter grade that seemingly dictates our self-worth. In the context of our grade-driven lives, it is important to find something that makes us truly happy. Not just the satisfaction of finishing a test or getting a good grade back, but something more inherent and intrinsic. Realize a passion, a love that you would be happy spending the rest of your life doing. Not only does enjoying a passion relieve the tension of school, it also provides the creative outlet of expression. In my case, it was always music. Making something beautiful, whether it was the sound of my bow against the string, or giving full control to my voice, made me feel as if I was creating my own piece of art. Be honest and truthful to yourself. Give life to your personality. As much as our final exams are important, they do not represent who we are as people, so they do not warrant feeling overwhelmed. Don't dread getting a grade back. At a certain point, step back, and take a deep breath. No matter what happens, life is more than a letter!