I sat at my usual desk in the corner of the classroom flipping through the pages of my spiral notebook, absorbing any last-minute details from my notes that might help me during my final exam. Though I had put in hours of studying prior, I have a deep-seeded belief that scanning my notes that one last time will automatically improve my test grade — and don’t try to tell me otherwise. I enjoy my small superstitions.

Meanwhile, the class chatter around me started to grow into a dull roar as my classmates bombarded our instructor with questions and concerns before the test, which ultimately turned into unnecessary complaints.

“Do we have to answer ALL of the questions on the exam?”

“Can you tell us the answers?”

“Can this just be optional?”

“Let’s just not take the exam and say we did.”

While many comments were snarky and in jest, all the same, I rolled my eyes as I listened to 20-something-year-olds regress into childhood as they whined over the threat of a single test. In fact, a few friends from a different major told me that their class was able to coax their way out of their final — you know, the final that had been clearly labeled on the syllabus since day one that should have been no surprise to anyone, as with all exams.

But, even still, that never seems to stop the onslaught of grumbles when test time arrives.

And what does this teach young adults, ladies and gentleman? Maybe if you whine loud and hard enough, you won’t have to do anything in life that you don’t want to do. Although I understand the labor that goes into studying for exams and, ultimately, into any sort of work, I think there comes a point where one just needs to suck it up.

So as a gentle reminder to college students, we are here to learn — and to hopefully become better, more productive versions of ourselves. That involves hard work.

When I see students, and young people in general, looking for the easy way out of something they simply don’t want to do, such as tests they have been aware of all semester, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of irritation.  

And I don’t speak as though I am the beacon of a model student or a perfect example of someone who takes every bit of work thrown my way with grace and ease. Heck, I sometimes find my day worth complaining about if I don’t have the right kind of cereal in the morning (because nothing is worse than running out of Reese’s Puffs). But I am also aware of my sometimes ridiculous expectations (like having 24/7 access to Reese’s Puffs), and try to catch myself when I undeservedly complain about something simply because I don’t want to do it.

Learning how to step up to the plate and challenge yourself is something I have found imperative to the process of growing up. Taking on difficult tasks builds character — it’s uncomfortable, it can feel inconveniencing, but it’s worth it in the end. Though it’s easy to stomp your feet in opposition to anything that’s mildly difficult, where will that leave you later?

It will probably leave you nowhere worth being.

Granted, this is not meant to speak for everyone, or disregard those who put immense time and effort into their work, but it is meant as a reminder for the others — those who think complaining before a final exam is an effective way to avoid a necessary evil.

Many of us 20-somethings need to buck up and stop proving every stereotype out there about privileged, ungrateful college students. We are better than whining our way out of a test. We are better than holding some unnecessary sense of entitlement.

So let’s take our thumbs out of our mouths and prove it.

Nicki is a senior in Media. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @NickiHalenza.