Pencils become as dull as the long hours studying, writing, calculating and learning. The only break in the daily monotony is a need for the bare necessities. Thoughts are focused like lasers on schoolwork and any distractions are dealt with in the harshest way.

With AP testing fast approaching, I am constantly on edge. I try to study as much as possible, but somehow, I continually find myself distracted by the smallest things, like an unmade bed, a good book or a pile of dirty laundry. This is not helped by the warm weather and spring fever that grips me every time I look out a window.

As stress and work is mounting, I am becoming an emotional wreck. I find it difficult to focus like I need to. It seems as though I have just started in my classes and I haven’t learned anything from this year. Reviewing test material in classes, while helpful, adds to the stress as my peers and I realize there is so much that we have forgotten in the long months.

But how am I supposed to study when there are so many other more enjoyable things I could do? Things like sleeping, eating, seeing friends, doing chores or scraping nails down a chalkboard.

The worst part of studying is getting started. It is so difficult to force myself to sit down and open my books. After that it’s easy; I just have to stay there for a few hours reading the same thing over and over again. Easy.

Studying will help me do well in my classes. Studying will help me pass my exams. Studying will help me get into a good college. As many times as I repeat this to myself, I can’t seem to have enough motivation until the last minute. Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely academically conscious and care about my grades, but there are just too many other things to be focused on.

Focus is the key to doing well with…wait, what was I saying?