As dead week starts and students begin to get nervous for their looming final exams, the anticipation for winter break only increases and everyone just wants to go home. Regardless of your major or your current year at UC Berkeley, you can’t help but feel dreadful during dead week and finals week. Here are some of the reasons why the weeks between Thanksgiving break and winter break are actually the worst.

Weather

The weather in the Bay Area can get rainy and cold, especially during the winter season. It might not be as snowy as some areas on the East Coast, but it’s definitely gloomy weather. The rain and wind throughout November and December contribute to the lethargic environment in Berkeley during the weeks between Thanksgiving break and winter break.

Finals

Finals are extremely important for college students; they usually hold the most weight in determining our semester grades, so these tests are enough to make us feel stressed for weeks. Although there is gladness and comfort after finals are over, the weeks leading up to finals may be some of the most stressful weeks of the semester.

Upcoming holidays

The built-up anticipation toward the upcoming holidays makes the couple of weeks of school even less bearable. The days seem to go by so slowly during the countdown to winter break, and you feel the least motivated and excited for school. You can’t wait for winter break, when you can spend time with your loved ones. The weeks between Thanksgiving break and winter break are just the worst.

Farewells

For the many seniors who graduate in the winter, it’s hard to say goodbye. The graduating seniors have to bid their farewells to friends, professors, supervisors and everyone who has been a part of their college careers. Goodbyes are the hardest, which is why they are the biggest reason for the weeks between Thanksgiving break and winter break being the actual worst.

These are only a few of the reasons why the weeks between Thanksgiving break and winter break are the worst, but on the bright side, it’s great to finally wrap up our busy and stressful semester. Winter break is coming up, so let’s hope we can all power through some of these weeks and really end our semester with a bang!