{shortcode-9c7fda726e58986c7f7a4b1c814fb561b70362da} If you’re reading this, chances are you’re one of those people who celebrated at the very beginning of the semester about having fewer exams (or even none at all!) because that one class had a final paper instead. Cramming 13 weeks of information into a somewhat coherent paper shouldn’t be that bad! You tucked that part of the syllabus into the farthest corner of your mind, labeling it a problem for reading period. Realizing that paper still exists and needs to be written can feel like being dunked in cold water (and not in an Ashton Hall way), but never fear! Here at Flyby, we’ll be right by your side as you go through the five stages of realizing you have to start your final paper.

Stage One: Denial

We all start here. Oh, that paper? That’s due in May! Really, we get it. Sometimes, it feels like it’s still February. Besides, you have too much to do already between psets, acapella jams, formals, and still figuring out your summer plans. That paper is the least of your concerns. Out of sight, out of mind!

Stage Two: Anger

This stage comes after an unexpected glimpse at the date. While you may have acknowledged the paper’s existence at this point, you still have yet to internalize it. Your workload hasn’t gotten any lighter and, with the beginning of spring, who wants to spend the day indoors composing an outline when you could be throwing a frisbee in the Yard, living your best coming-of-age movie? Frankly, how dare your TF expect you to find enough time within your rainbow-colored Google Calendar to write an entire paper.

Stage Three: Bargaining

At this stage, you’ve just opened the Canvas assignment for the first time and might be saying, “I need to lock in” for the first and certainly not last time. You thought you were being a very responsible student when you decided to open the Canvas assignment for your paper, only to find out it is meant to be way longer than you initially thought, with source requirements that hadn’t even crossed your mind. For a lucky few, this stage may be the one where you pick your topic. Nonetheless, this is the stage where you try to inspire yourself to make a schedule to write your paper. All is not lost yet! Right?

Stage Four: Depression

Stage Four is where you take that well-intentioned plan to write a little bit every day — and end up with an empty Google Doc each night. Unfortunately, making a schedule for your final paper can feel so productive that it justifies taking a break for every single day of that schedule, while assuring yourself that you have a plan and therefore nothing to worry about. The end of semester work pile-up won this battle.

Stage Five: Acceptance

This stage doesn’t necessarily begin when you start your paper and can sometimes occur against your will. Whether it happens on the second floor of Lamont at 3 a.m. or while you’re moving out at the end of the semester, you will reach acceptance, and have something in at some point — regardless of quality (because it’s the effort that counts… right?). And, you know what, that’s an accomplishment on its own.

Regardless of where you are in your journey of starting that final paper, stay strong and push on through to get that page count. Or, keep procrastinating by reading more Flyby articles. Whichever you choose, good luck!