Finals

.. I hate finals, that's just my personal outlook, but I'll try to explain to any doubters out there why I have valid reasoning for this. It is a 45 min test or so that ultimately decides a large portion of your grade after months of intense work in the class. It can be manipulated, misunderstood and a large downfall.
The first reason I technically hate finals is simply because of my study habits. I am a severe procrastinator and am a crammer. I usually get up anywhere from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. on test days to start looking over notes and try to put as much information into my head before the test. It helps me get A's or B's on the test, but in the end I forget the info as soon as I turn in my test and clear it for the next cramming session. This kills me during finals week, since I have more information to study and usually take naps in the afternoon after a final and study all night. God forbid I have any Friday finals because I am usually so burnt out and can't focus. Yeah yeah yeah I know.. that's my fault, but hey it got me through 4 years of a biology major and I'm outta here!!!
Another reason is too much is based upon this week. Too many variables can get in the way. My freshmen year I was in a wheelchair after tearing both of my achellies tendons and had to be so jacked up on vicodin to cope with the pain I couldn't focus on my studying or the test. The risk of being extremely sick or have family issues can give you an unfair start to your week of Hell. I have one friend who was in the emergency room with a stomach virus and still has to take 2 finals today because teachers simply cant wave 20% of a grade in a class because of a sickness.
Overall I think cumulative finals are dumb and unfair, I would much rather have a system where research papers are due (thanks Prof. Cigleske) or projects to turn in. Instead of filling in boxes for 45 minutes it can fully show what you have a grasp of and what you learned this semester. Compared to what you could recall in an extremely stressful environment.