With exams just around the corner, us students will do anything we can to try and get ahead. Including teaming up with a study partner. We all think studying with our mates will be the best thing ever: you’ll motive each other and get work done quickly, until you’re three hours into a “study sesh” and haven’t opened a single text book, that is.

Here’s a list of what we expect will happen and the harsh reality.

Expectation: You Motivate Each Other

Reality: You’re A Bad Influence On Each Other

You think studying with your best friend to work out great, but sometimes the reality is you’re both a bad influence on each other when it comes to getting things done. It always sounds like a good idea at first; studying with your friend will make it more fun, right? And you’ll have each other if you get stuck or need help. And then it turns out that most of the time is spent looking at memes together or eating the study snacks without actually working for it. We all love our friends, but some are just not good to study with.

Expectation: You’re Super Productive And Cover Off A Lot

Reality: You Binge On Netflix

The urge is too strong, especially when it’s at someone’s house instead of the library. You both convince each other that after half an hour of hard work it’s time for a well-deserved break. And you know, Stranger Things season two has just come out on Netflix. Why not watch just one episode and then get back to work? We all know how that turns out.

If you decide to study with a friend, make sure they have more self-restraint than you!

Expectation: You Drink Coffee

Reality: You Drink Wine

Especially when it’s one of those friends who’s a little bit of an alcoholic and can’t be trusted when it comes to serious matters like passing exams. As the night goes on, the coffee gets replaces by wine which then gets replaced by vodka and then before you know it you’re both at the local pub singing karaoke and have completely forgotten about the assignment due next week. Advice? Stick to coffee and save the booze for you treat yo’ self when exams are finished.

Expectation: Only Fruit, Nuts And Water

Reality: You Eat All The Junk Food

Eating a healthy diet is crucial during exam week and you plan on eating balanced and nutritious meals to help you stay focused. But eating healthy in this time of stress is almost impossible when you don’t even have time to sleep, let alone cook decent meals. And what is a better stress reliever than chocolate? This is especially true if you’re studying late. Late-night studying means midnight snacks, and that is when the junk food temptation will strike—when you are at your weakest. Goodbye diet. Hello mac and cheese.

Expectation: You Pull An All-Nighter

Reality: You’re In Bed By 9pm

Studying is hard OK? The coffee buzz wears off and as you start to crash you get into your pyjamas and try to study in bed. Oh, who are you kidding? You’re not going to study in bed. Just watch Vampire Diaries together for the 10th time you pathetic excuse for an adult.

Expectation: You Go Home Satisfied You’re Going To Nail The Exam

Reality: You Give Up Two Hours In And Go Out For Dinner

Well at least you tried, fam.

Sophie Nicolas is studying a bachelor of arts majoring in creative writing and is an aspiring writer, dog enthusiast and thrift shop fashion icon.

(Lead image: Clueless/Paramount Pictures)