It's that time again -- The Finals Thread!!!!

[anonymousartist]

Ok kiddos, I don't know about y'all but I'm just about to graduate in a few weeks, finals are coming up, I've got nothing done yet and IT's THE LAST MINUTE NOW!

So I'm starting this thread for all of us who are about to hit the rough stuff in school, where we get stressed out, tired, caffeinated, and vulnerable to picking, so we can vent our frustrations and support each other during this wicked evil time which will inevitably be over in a few weeks.

Lately I've been a little indiscriminate about my picking so I'm not going to worry about that part of my appearance too much. It's too much to expect perfection of my skin with so much other work to do, but I do take it as a sign when I find myself picking that I need some rest.

Let's take breaks from our studying or writing or painting or whatever by posting, having a short nap, and/or eating a healthy snack whenever we can, start our work early, and not expect perfection of ourselves!

And remember, NO ONE LOOKS PRETTY DURING FINALS!

[Reflection as guest]

Hey
I agree!! I too have finals.. my last high school finals ever... Yeiii... but havnt been able to concentrate much and have increased picking a bit.. not a lot though and have decreased since before.. However like u said its important ot take breaks and not expect perfection!
Good luck
Thinking of u all
Reflection

[Angelfish]

I don't have finals yet, but it's approaching the end of the semester and I have a ton of work to do. It's good to hear that I am not the only one who looks like crap. I was beating myself up about picking. I've been picking a lot. I always pick when I have too much school work to do.

Good luck on finals to everybody-- don't get too stressed out!

[Bea1]

blech. Well I don't have finals but I can sympathise because year before last when I was finishing up my degree I took more than a regular load and had so much shit to do it was insane, I was juggling essays, presentations, papers... Not fun. But at least you have something to occupy your time and energy (boredom, I am learning is a far more dangerous enemy). Put all that nervous energy into working hard instead of fucking up your skin. But if you do, so the hell what. Anything goes during finals. (make sure you eat lots of chocolate chip cookies too- the proper ones with lots of choc chips- none of this reduced fat crap) And, just remember, as my french teacher used to say "Exams are FUN!" ha!

[Me2]

Yep, Finals are great.

I actually don't have a lot of finals, just term papers. I prefer finals because they are faster. My picking always worsens at the end of term. This time its been a bit better due probably to Seroquel. I only have real pick sessions every 3 or 4 days now. Its like it takes longer for the pressure to build up.

Good luck to everyone who is trying to get somewhere in their life. That also includes anyone who is trying to kick this habit. Congratulations for your willingness to try.

Fay

[coolhandluke]

Amen to that.

My picking has been persistent lately---I'm not worried, since I'm used to these pick-cycles, although it IS frustrating, as you all know from experience. I remember last year during spring finals, and I was convinced THAT was my worst pick-episode. Little did I know that the worst was yet to come.

But I think it's a good idea not to "expect perfection of ourselves." It makes it easier to relax about everything. Also, I've been doing some watercolor painting, despite my never having done it before, and I find that it's one of the most soothing activities I've ever experienced. That, and volunteering some work on a horse farm where a friend takes riding lessons. The horses are just so calm, peaceful, and mellow. They look at me with their gentle eyes while I try not to get all worked up about how the fence-repair and gate-building that I'm doing looks. When I take breaks from hammering and sawing (yep, I'm a very novice carpenter), I'll go out to the pastures and pet the horses, sometimes even lay my head against theirs. They somehow can manage to calm me in a way nothing else has ever been able to do.

So if any of you have an opportunity to go out and visit a horse, do so. They are so gentle and calm, you can't help but be soothed.

Later,
cool hand luke

[anonymousartist]

I have to thank Spring Angel for getting me to see that I'm over-pressured by perfectionism, and actually my Thesis (which needs to get done ASAP) is a series of signs that I'm painting using the sort of road-sign vernacular but they are hand-painted and NOT BEING PERFECT is sort of the point of it. Plus it IS fun painting. Much nicer than spending so much time in front of the computer. I'll post some photos later as I come along.

So for those who haven't gotten to finals yet, let's make it easier on ourselves and do a half hour to an hour of reading, research, studying, or writing (if you have a term paper due, it can help you to write in a relaxed style of your own, just sort of ranting about the concerns you might bring up in the paper, to warm up). If we do a little at a time now, it'll add up and we'll be so familiar with the material by the time finals come that there will be less material to study for. Go ahead and e-mail your professors and ask for study guides if they're not out yet, or a place to get started.

As for me, my stuff needs to be in production so I'm not taking my advice and going full steam, but starting early and taking breaks really does work. My cat has primer on her fur and there's yellow paint all over the carpet to prove it (stupid cat!) Oh! And my professor likes my work so far, which is awesome! It's gonna be a loooooong night.

[anonymousartist]

Well, I definitely think caffeine is evil now! I'm overtired, zombified, hyperfocused, and picking lately. I know I shouldn't pressure myself to stop but I have an art show as motivation and a couple possible boy interests (like, the kind who live in the same state...even the same city!) Blaaaaaaaah. Time for bed and to stop telling myself I'm useless. At least I can't say about my procrastination promlem that I'll never do it again because I'll be out of school when this is over and not have to worry about it.

Oh wow....I'm a super senior member now. I obviously post too much.

[anonymousartist]

reminder to myself and others: take meaningful breaks for food (brain food), water or just to chill for a few minutes and not to pick!

It's ok to take breaks (it actually helps you absorb info better when studying). It helps to energize us. We don't have to pick to justify a few minutes off when we need it.

[sunshinefunk]

I also feel quite stressed. I don't think caffine is evil, though. It's my drug of choice for right now!

Stress sucks! I am trying to stay happy, like going running and playing frisbee, even if it is only for a half hour. The weather is too beautiful to stay inside in the damn library.

And annoymous, don't stop posting. Congrats on the super member status!
-sunshine-

[anonymousartist]

Yeah, I couldn't have gotten through the past couple days without caffeine, but I think I'll try to stick to green tea. I like it, there's no calories, and the caffeine doesn't seem so intense and last longer. Makes me peppy instead of crazy.

And can I say, Sunday was HELL ! I drowned my $370 digital camera while working on my thesis project and fried it (well, a couple lcd lights sort of work sporatically). I was just in shock and upset but something made me want to push on with the project (I felt it would be a nice portfolio piece) so I got over it on Monday, got a digicam from the library, took as many photos as I could before the sun went down, and put together the best book that I could in one night.

That all-nighter kicked the shit out of me though 'cause I'm still exhausted a day later. I think now that my internship is over though (they had cake for us today, so nice!) I'm going to go on my body clock and not worry about getting to bed early and take naps when I need 'cause I still have a lot of work to do. But most of my thesis is out of the way and it's come out good! Photos to come, hopefully.

[anonymousartist]

Well my thesis is almost done. My portfolio is going to be extremely last minute (ugh). I'm anxiety ridden dealing with everyone in class for the gallery show we have coming up. And I guess it would help to not pick since I want to look nice for the opening.

But anyway, I have to go to Kinko's tonight, and all I can say is UGH!!!!!!! I HATE KINKOS!!!!!!!!! the people who work there are pretty damn stupid. Oh man and friends are probably going to come into town and I don't have time to clean my apartment. Damn all I wanna do is sleep. Less than a week and school is over forever.

[anonymousartist]

Had our gallery opening last night and it went really well! Not sure how many people but there were lots. Now I just have a lot of portfolio work to do by thursday but at this point it feels like cake Or maybe I'm just in a good mood 'cause I finally got to sleep in today!

I hope everyone's doing ok studying and stuff. Remember, just start something for 15 minutes and then you're free to take a break if you need. Put on some motivating music to make your time somewhat enjoyable (unless it distracts you). But you absorb info better if you take breaks, believe it or not. and I'm stealing this from Flylady.com, but she says you can do anything for 15 minutes!

[anonymousartist]

three words: ALL NIGHTERS SUCK!

less than a week now.

[anonymousartist]

Well, hope everyone is doing ok and not going too crazy. This is the last night of it for me -- the last night ever. I'm supposed to get my portfolio and a bunch of crap done, but it's not gonna all happen. I'll live. I just....can't stress it anymore. And maybe that's what I needed to learn all along.