The Final Exam Storm

The clock read 10:15 a.m. when we gathered in the library for our first study session of the day. Final exams were just a few days away, and although we tried to stay calm, stress was seeping into every conversation, every sigh, and every glance. Lindsay, Olivia, and I had agreed to review together, dividing the topics among our three most important courses: Biology 42, Chemistry 31B, and Calculus 2. But, as always when Olivia was involved, things didn't go exactly as planned.

We sat at a secluded table, surrounded by iPads, laptops, and apps open on all our screens. I had carefully organized my notes on cellular biology in my iPad, creating detailed visual diagrams to help me better understand the complex processes of mitochondria and protein synthesis. I was focused on reviewing one of those diagrams when I heard a gasp behind me.

"Oh no! Sack, I'm so sorry!" Olivia was standing next to me, holding an empty coffee cup in her hand and looking panicked.

I looked down and saw that my iPad was covered in coffee. The dark liquid spread across the screen, leaving streaks along the edges. My notes, which I had spent hours organizing, were now illegible.

"What the hell, Olivia?" I said, trying to stay calm, though my tone betrayed my frustration.

"It was an accident!" she replied, raising her hands in innocence. "I just wanted to give you some coffee to keep you awake, but… well, it seems my aim is still as bad as ever."

Lindsay, who was sitting across from me, let out a small laugh before stepping in.

"Relax, Sack. You have everything backed up in the cloud, right?"

I nodded, though that didn't completely ease my irritation.

"Yes, but I'd been working on those specific diagrams for hours. Now I'll have to rebuild them from scratch."

Olivia crossed her arms, pretending to be indignant.

"You know what? Maybe this is a sign that you need to improve your study method. I mean, why rely so much on static diagrams? There are better ways to learn cellular biology."

Lindsay raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Like what?"

"Well, for example, you could use interactive apps," Olivia responded with an air of expertise. "Something more modern, something that really makes you think. I don't know, there are apps that let you integrate videos, audio, and even 3D simulations. They're way more useful than your static drawings."

"They're not static," Lindsay retorted, defending me. "Sack has spent hours organizing those diagrams. Besides, it's a visual method that works for him. Not everyone learns the same way."

"Exactly," I added, feeling supported. "Diagrams work well for me. I don't need to complicate things with other stuff."

"Sure, sure," Olivia said, rolling her eyes. "But if you ever want to try something new, let me know. I can teach you some tricks that will revolutionize your academic life."

"Revolutionize?" Lindsay asked, laughing. "Olivia, I don't think switching from one app to another is revolutionary."

"That's what you say because you haven't seen what I can do," Olivia replied, pretending to be offended. "I'm an expert in educational technology. I could write a book about it."

"Please, don't," I muttered, earning a laugh from Lindsay.

I decided to change the subject before the discussion about study methods became even more intense.

"Alright, girls, let's leave this for now. I need to focus on recovering my notes. In the meantime, how about we do something productive? We could practice organic chemistry."

Olivia smiled widely, as if she'd just had a brilliant idea.

"Perfect! Let's have a memorization competition. We'll use digital flashcards to see who can remember the most organic chemistry terms in five minutes. The winner gets… uh… bragging rights for the rest of the day."

"That's not very motivating," I commented, though I knew I'd agree anyway.

"Alright, then the loser has to buy the winner coffee," Lindsay suggested, smiling.

"Deal," Olivia said, pulling out her iPad. "Get ready to lose."

For the next five minutes, the three of us focused on our screens, answering quick questions about functional groups, chemical reactions, and nomenclature. Olivia was so confident that she started making sarcastic comments while playing.

"Alright, methyl… ethyl… oh wait, which one was which?" she muttered, frowning.

"I think you confused methyl with ethyl," I said, unable to hold back a laugh.

"It's not funny!" she replied, though she was laughing too. "This is the app's fault. The letters are too small."

A few seconds later, Olivia let out a dramatic shout.

"Wait! I just remembered that methyl has one carbon and ethyl has two. Why didn't anyone tell me that before? This game is a conspiracy!"

Lindsay and I burst into laughter.

"Olivia, that's basic organic chemistry," Lindsay said, trying to contain her laughter. "If you don't know that, we're in trouble."

"Yeah, yeah, laugh at me," Olivia responded, pretending to be offended. "But remember, I'm the only one here who can survive without Google Maps."

"That has nothing to do with organic chemistry," I said, shaking my head.

"Exactly," Lindsay added. "And it won't save you from buying coffee either."

At the end of the competition, Olivia came in last place, which surprised no one.

"I guess I deserve a free coffee," I said, smiling.

"Don't even dream about it. It was pure bad luck this time," she replied, crossing her arms.

After the competition, we decided to switch topics and start reviewing cellular biology. I opened my laptop and began solving some problems related to DNA replication. However, one of them had me stuck. After several minutes of trying without success, I decided to ask for help.

"Lindsay, could you give me a hand with this?" I asked, turning the screen toward her.

Lindsay leaned closer and sat next to me, leaning over the laptop to get a better look at the problem. Her proximity made me feel a strange warmth, but I tried to focus on the exercise.

"Ah, I see the problem," she said after a few seconds. "Here, you need to consider how helicases separate the DNA strands. Let me show you."

As she explained, her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard, typing equations and intermediate steps. I watched as her face lit up with enthusiasm while she spoke, and I couldn't help but feel grateful to have her by my side.

"Thanks," I said when she finished. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

She glanced at me briefly, with a warm smile.

"Probably be lost in some biology problem, like now," she joked.

"Hey, I'm here too," Olivia interjected, pretending to be offended. "Don't forget that I'm the reason we're doing this memorization competition. Plus, without me, you'd probably be bored to tears."

"It's true," I admitted, smiling. "Thanks, Olivia. Although you still owe me a coffee."

"I'll pay it when I win the next competition," she replied, winking at me.

Despite the chaotic moments and constant interruptions, I couldn't deny that these study sessions with Lindsay and Olivia helped me stay balanced. Between Olivia's humor and Lindsay's patience, facing final exams felt a little less intimidating.