Finals season can be brutal. The pressure, the long hours, the burnout—it all piles on fast. But I want this week’s blog to be a reminder: don’t let this week make you question your intelligence.

As a student, you’ve worked far too hard to let a couple of exams define how capable and intelligent you are. Keep in mind everything you’ve pushed through to get here—early mornings, long nights, breakdowns in between lectures—and you still continue to show up! That says more about you than any exam could ever define.

It’s easy to spiral and start doubting yourself when things feel overwhelming. But you’re not “behind,” and you’re definitely not “dumb.” You’re in the middle of something super hard, and you’re handling it! I hope you take some time to give yourself some credit.

Stick to your pace, trust your process and remember: you’re not doing this to prove you can get good grades—you’re doing this because you care, and because you want to be the best doctor you can be for your future patients.

So…take breaks, go outside, call a friend, cry if you need to. But after that, keep going. Finals, or any exam for that matter, don’t define who you are or what you’re capable of.

You’ve come this far—don’t forget that. Keep your head up, breathe, and finish strong. You’ve got this!

Learn more about NUHS’ Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine program here.