Hopefully these letters appear in a friendly enough font and manner as to put you at ease. And I also hope the words ‘don’t panic’ look familiar – they are the cover of the guide so often referenced in and titled after, Douglas Adams’ book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” The book’s cover is emblazoned with “don’t panic” in an attempt to reassure any hitchhiker, stranded on whatever planet he might have found himself on, that all is not lost. There is always a solution to the problem, always a way to get off that planet without losing your head or your luggage. Or your towel, as Adams deems that to be incredibly important. Either way, the message is clear. Don’t panic, and everything will be OK.

Now if only we could all take this advice to heart during exam time.

Don’t get me wrong, I have been a victim of exam panic syndrome. During freshman year, I spent so much time worrying over my first set of college exams that I almost drove myself to tears studying. And after I walked out of the test? Well, that was just an open invitation to pick apart my performance until grades were released. And, you know, all that worrying never accomplished much, nor did it help me feel better. (And I did fine on my exams, by the way.)

So, after some careful reflection spurred by a bout of nervous, self-deprecating babbling brought on by my calc exam (I was never one for math), I realized something. It’s not the exams that are the problem. It’s the attitude with which we approach them. Entering into a study session or the exam itself, with a nervous “I am so going to fail and have to drop out of school” attitude never works well. You end up losing focus on the task at hand and then ultimately not doing as well as you should. It’s all a result of positive thinking. Or rational thinking, at the very least. During that tumultuous freshman year reading week, I realized that when I calmed down and told myself that everything will get done, surprisingly, it did.

Now I know that Wash. U. has a culture of stress. Everywhere I go, people on campus are either complaining to any sympathetic ear about the amount of work they have or are playing the one-up game. It’s a constant competition around here- whoever has the most work due in the shortest amount of time wins. Don’t you think that’s a bit unnecessary? Yes, you are stressed. But so is everyone else. So, instead of trying to see just who is the most stressed of them all (a commemorative sash to the winner!) try to help relieve some of it instead. You’d be surprised at how much more productive you can be.

Exam time is never fun. But it doesn’t have to be painful. It will get done, I promise. Maybe you could even read “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” as a sort of study break. Or an exercise in perspective. I am sure being thrown into the Total Perspective Vortex is much, much worse than anything your professors can throw at you. And, now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a paper to write.

Michelle is a junior in Arts & Sciences. She can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]

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