HOW TO SURVIVE FINALS AS TOLD BY MINDY KALING

That time of year is here again. Summer is so close, but it might feel like a lifetime away. Here are some tips for surviving finals week:

Step 1: Make sure to stay comfortable. The weather is warming up, and everyone is excited to bring out their spring wardrobe. Just remember to keep it comfy. And maybe wear some of your favorite outfits on test days. Dress well, test well. Right?

Step 2: Indulge in a little treat as a study break. Obviously you want to stay healthy during finals week, but a trip to Greenbush might be the extra motivation you were looking for.

Step 3: Take care of yourself. Don't be the person at the library that has been in the same spot for eight hours and hasn't showered in three days. Get some sleep, take breaks, and prioritize your health.

Step 4: Cut yourself off from the people that don't have finals this week. Soon you will have your freedom, too, and you can resume those friendships.

Step 5: Get to the library early. As the week goes on, seats will open up as more and more people start to finish. But if you don't get there early enough you will wander around praying to find a table. And don't even think about finding a spot near an outlet.

Step 6: Stay focused. As your friends start finishing up, it can be tempting to get distracted while they celebrate. Study breaks are necessary to maintain your sanity, but just remember not to go overboard.

Step 7: Know when to stop studying. There is such a thing as over studying, and at some point you have to call it quits. It might be tempting to study up until the moment they ask you to put everything away, but at certain point you just know what you know.

Step 8: Have some confidence in yourself. You put the time in and studied hard, and now it is time to show those finals what you are made of.

Good luck with finals! The end is near.

10 THINGS TO THANK MY MOM FOR ON MOTHER'S DAY

When I was little, my mom told me that one day I would want to leave and go live somewhere else on my own. I told her that I was certain that day would never come, because I loved my mommy and daddy so much. Sure enough, she was right--as always. The day came, and they dropped me off at college. Unfortunately, this will have to be my second Mother's Day apart from you, because of school.

I wish more than anything that I could be there with you today, but since I cannot, here are a few things I want you to thank you for:

1. For always believing in me.

I have had big dreams from a young age. I bounced around from saying I wanted to be everything from an actress to a doctor, and you always made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted.

2. For never holding it against me when I was wrong.

I will be the first to admit that I was wrong plenty of times. But you taught me to take responsibility for when I was wrong, and we could never be mad at each other for long.

3. For wanting to fight my battles for me.

Thanks for always listening to me rant, and helping me learn how to deal with frustrating people.

4. For teaching me manners.

All of my friends parents used to comment on my manners when I was little. Even at work the other day I was complimented for having such good manners.

5. For showing me what it means to be a good person.

You taught me what it meant to have a big heart, and you continually teach me how to deal with people that try my patience.

6. For supporting me all the way.

You supported me when I was in 4th grade and wanted a guitar, keyboard and drum set, because I was convinced my friends and I were going to start a band. You supported me when I decided I wanted to play basketball and quit dance, even though you wanted me to be a dancer. And you supported me coming to my dream school, instead of staying near home. You have no idea how much that means to me.

7. For sacrificing for me.

I know how much you have sacrificed for me and for my siblings, and I am forever grateful to have a mom that gave up so much to be with us and raise us.

8. For always being there.

Whenever I need you day or night, you are always there. Through finals freak outs and tears shed over boys, you always know how to make me feel better. Even after you had gone to bed the other night, you called me back, because you were worried. And being able to talk things through with you made all the difference.

9. For giving me confidence.

I always think it is funny when you say that you were shy when you were younger, because you and Dad have given me so much confidence. You have built me up and taught me to believe in myself. You have given me the courage to go after what I want, and to have confidence in my actions and decisions.

10. For loving me unconditionally.

Our thing has always been "I love you to the moon and back", "I love you more." I love you to the moon and back, Mom.

CONFESSIONS OF A COFFEE ADDICT AS TOLD BY GILMORE GIRLS

It's Monday morning, you hit the snooze a couple times, but now you have to get going. You start your normal routine, eat some breakfast, and you try to resist the coffee. But how could you? After surviving midterms, nearly sleepless nights writing papers, and classes that always seem too early, you need the coffee, don't you?

When you are an avid coffee drinker:

Nothing in the morning excites you, unless it involves the words mocha or creamer.

The sun hasn't come up until you have had your cup of joe.

And the thought of a world without coffee is not the kind of world you want to live in.

How do people expect you to accomplish superhuman productivity without it?

People don't understand why coffee is an essential part of your diet.

Or why you will do almost anything to get it.

I mean anything.

People are starting to think you have a problem.

But they don't know what they are talking about, right? 

You clearly don't have a problem. 

You just don't know how to function without it. 

So what if you need coffee to get up in the morning? 

You don't have a problem with it, and if you're lucky, you might one day find someone who understands.

True friendship is when you know your friend's coffee order, right?


*This post was also published to Her Campus.

SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 75

Originally the idea for this post was part of a list of things that I have learned from college so far. And I will post about that eventually, but I realized that I had a lot more to say about this one topic than I thought. With the weather that we have had in the last few days, it has had me thinking a lot.

A couple days ago it was almost 80 degrees and sunny. And now we are back in the 40s with rain and the kind of wind that keeps turning my umbrella inside out. It's driving me crazy.

Recently, I was introduced to the song "High of 75" by Relient K. I can't tell you how many times I have listened to this song in the last few weeks. One of the main lines is

"Lately, the weather has been so bi-polar, 
and consequently so have I." 

People always make fun of the weather as a topic of conversation, but when you live in the upper-midwest it is such a relevant topic. It can easily go from sunny and 75 to 25 and snowing in a matter of a couple days. I interpret "High of 75" in a couple of different ways. When he says,

"Don't know whether or not
 How sad I just got 
Was of my own volition,
Or if I'm just missing the sun"

I think of how much happier I am when the weather is nicer. Everyone gets so excited about the warm weather, and it feels so nice to be outside. But since they are associated with Christian rock music when he says,

"And now I'm sunny
With a High of 75
Since you took my heavy heart 
And made it light. 
And it's funny how you find
You enjoy your life
When you're happy to be alive."

it makes me think of God taking away a burden, and finding peace with your life. And I love that. I think there is something so wonderful about discovering what makes you truly at peace and happy. That last part keeps ringing through my head, "And it's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive." Sometimes I think I lose sight of how many things there are to be grateful when I am stressed out and overwhelmed. It's easy to get caught up in everything that is going on. I think part of the reason I am so much calmer during the nicer weather is because I am more likely to take the time to stop and ground myself. Saturday I went on a run by the lake, and I stopped and sat on a picnic table for a while, admiring everything around me and just being. Sometimes you just need to be.

It might sound silly, but I try not to subscribe to the belief that we need to constantly be on the go. Who's keeping track anyway? Productivity is relative. So, take some time to check in with yourself. What is it going to take to get to your "sunny with a high of 75?"

In case you are wondering: According to Wikipedia, the lead singer stated the song was influenced by Northern Ohio's "undependable weather." Go figure.

WHY SPRING BREAK IN DC IS BETTER THAN IN PCB

Spring break. It might not be the longest of the breaks, but it is sometimes the most needed. Spring semester is always harder to make it through than fall semester for some reason. Despite the month-long break after first semester, you still feel a bit more run down than after the long summer break. It could have to do a bit with the weather. The warmth is teasing us, and we want to spend more time pretending it is nice out than sitting behind a desk.

This spring break my destination didn't require sunscreen or swimsuits. But I also didn't head straight home. After a full day of travel, I arrived at Ronald Regan National airport in Washington DC.

While I was in DC, I couldn't help but think how happy I was to be there. As people talked about heading to the warmer weather for break, I got a little sad that I wasn't going to get a taste of the warmer weather, too. Yet, despite the windy weather, I had one of the best breaks I have ever had.

Here are some reasons going to DC was better than going to PCB*: 

1. The food is better.

These heavenly pastries are called beignets. They are made from a deep-fried choux pastry--which is what éclairs and cream puffs are made from. After they cover them in powdered sugar, they give you chocolate, caramel and raspberry sauce to dip them in. You know that feeling of disappointment when you are done with something especially satisfying? It's when you wish you could re-eat something because it was that good. Imagine that feeling times 10. Mhmmmm.

2. Chocolate bars are better than actual bars.

So now that I know that chocolate bars are a thing, my life will never be the same. Reasons why chocolate bars are better than real bars?

• Chocolate > Alcohol
• Wouldn't you much rather a guy offer to buy you chocolate fondue than a drink? 
• The worst you could be is chocolate drunk
• You won't have to worry about how you feel tomorrow or what kind of decisions you might make
• Chocolate...... on chocolate

3. The sights are stunning.

Don't get me wrong,  I am head over heals with the ocean. Sitting on the beach is one of my favorite activities, but this city amazes me. I walked around with my neck craned and eyes wide the entire time. I was a regular tourist--no shame. The sights are breath-taking. The history and the arcitecture of the city left me speechless.

4. The houses are better.

No matter your political views, seeing the White House is a must. Think about how many past presidents have lived in this one house. It's crazy.

5. The guys won't bother you.

 
Forget drunken frat guys trying to buy you a Corona. I've got Abe, and that's all I need. As I walked around DC, through the streets and museums, I couldn't help but geek out about all of the history that surrounded me. Getting to see some of the things I had only learned about in school or seen in movies in person was such a great experience.

So I didn't get to hear the ocean waves or sit on the beach. Instead, I got to see one of my best friends, eat amazing food, and visit a beautiful city. I would call it a win.

We really wanted the Washington Monument to be in this picture.

*Insert any warm destination for spring breakers.

25 THINGS ONLY UW-MADISON STUDENTS UNDERSTAND

UW-Madison offers 136 different majors and 94 certificates. We have student organizations for everyone--from people who strive to become business professionals to those who just want to try new types of cheeses all the time. There are so many different types of people with different interests, but when it all comes down to it, we all share a common identity: we are the Badgers.

And there are a few things that only UW-Madison students understand:

1. Getting your acceptance letter was one of the best days of your life.

2. Trying to get season tickets for football might be more stressful than finals week.

3. And trying to get season tickets for basketball is almost impossible.

4. "Jump Around" is not just a song. It's the Badger anthem, and it is one of your favorite parts of going to football games.

5. And the football experience is not complete until you have sung along to "Build Me Up Buttercup" or "Sweet Caroline"--even if it's only you and a few other people singing it on your way out of the stadium.

6. Your first time experiencing the terrace was magical.

7. And you have at least thought about what it would be like to steal a terrace chair.

8. While walking up Bascom you might have remembered how during your campus tour they told you walking up this hill only burns one Cheeto. And you know you should at least burn off two Cheetos for that trek.

9. Lakeshore Path during the day is one of the best places on campus to get some exercise.

 

10. But Lakeshore Path at night is to be avoided at all costs.

11. "Work hard, play hard" takes on a new meaning in Wisconsin.

12. Your school pride was at an all time high when we beat Kentucky in the Final Four.

13. Getting Ian's pizza is the best decision you make when you are out on the weekend.

14. But once you get there, the line feels like it will never end.

15. People still make assumptions about you based on where you lived freshman year.

16. The yellow triangle and red square are the scariest symbols when you are trying to register for classes.

17. But you are incredibly thankful that the system moved online after Alumni tell you that they literally had to run around a building trying get into their classes.

18. Babcock ice creammakes the freshman 15 almost inevitable, especially with the housing discount.

19. You were yelled at as a freshman for walking around at night in "freshman packs."

20. Food and a long nap are necessities after Badger games.

21. You have purposely not taken at least one class because it was too early or too far from your other classes--or in Science Hall, because there are way too many stairs to get into that building.

22. Sometimes FAC needs to be written into your schedule. #TGIF

23. And forget the Keystone or Natty Light, you need a Wisconsin brewed Spotted Cow.

24. You have spent more than one late night stressed over something you procrastinated on at College Library.

25. Graduation is one of the most bittersweet days of your life. But no matter what, you know you will always bleed red.

All of us have a different experience from the time that we come to SOAR to the day we accept our diplomas. The Wisconsin experience is different for everyone, but the community that we have here is unlike anywhere I have ever been. The sense of school spirit and Badger pride is contagious. It is one of the best parts about going to Wisconsin, and I could not be prouder to call myself a Badger. On Wisconsin!

*Originally appeared on Her Campus.