The air around campus had shifted as the final exams loomed just twenty days away. The usual chatter and laughter in the corridors were replaced by the rustling of notes, hurried footsteps of students rushing to the library, and the soft murmurs of study groups discussing theories and theological concepts. Maria's group had always been dedicated, but this time, they knew they had to push even harder.
That afternoon, after their last class before exams, they gathered in the cafeteria for a serious discussion about their study plan.
Cafeteria – The Study Plan Meeting
Maria looked around at her friends—Catherine, Kate, Emma, Jennifer, Emily, and Fiona—all of whom were sipping their coffee, visibly drained but determined.
"We only have twenty days left," Maria said, setting her coffee cup down. "We need a solid study schedule."
Kate stretched her arms. "I don't know about you guys, but I feel like my brain is already fried, and we haven't even started."
Jennifer chuckled. "Then imagine how fried it'll be by the time exams actually start."
Catherine tapped her fingers on the table. "Let's be realistic. Studying alone isn't going to cut it. We need a structured group study plan like last semester."
Emily nodded. "Agreed. Last time, each of us hosted the group in our rooms for late-night study sessions. Should we do the same this time?"
Fiona added, "It worked well before. We rotated hosting duties, and the person hosting made sure there were snacks and coffee. We stayed up till 2 AM, and it kept us accountable."
Maria pulled out her notebook. "Alright, so we'll do 9 PM to 2 AM every night. But this time, let's add a rule—if anyone arrives late, she has to pay a fine."
Emma raised an eyebrow. "A fine? What kind of fine?"
Maria smirked. "Whoever is late will have to buy coffee for everyone the next day."
Kate groaned. "Oh no, that's brutal! But fair."
Jennifer grinned. "And if someone skips a session without a valid reason?"
Catherine shrugged. "Then she has to buy snacks and coffee."
The group burst into laughter, already picturing who would end up paying the most.
Emily held up her coffee cup. "So it's decided. Nightly study sessions, rotating hosts, and a penalty for latecomers."
Everyone clinked their coffee cups together in agreement.
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Night 1: Catherine's Room – The First Study Session
At exactly 8:50 PM, Maria, Emily, and Fiona arrived at Catherine's room, finding her already setting up books and notes. She had arranged pillows on the floor, and a kettle of freshly brewed coffee sat on her desk.
By 9:00 PM, Emma rushed in, panting. "I made it on time, right?"
Catherine checked the clock and gave her a thumbs-up. "Just barely."
Jennifer and Kate, however, were nowhere to be seen.
At 9:10 PM, Kate knocked on the door. "Sorry, I had to grab my notes—"
Maria grinned. "That's ten minutes late. You're buying coffee tomorrow."
Kate groaned. "Ugh, I hate this rule already."
Jennifer arrived fifteen minutes late, holding up her hands. "Before you say anything, I was helping Sister Margaret in the chapel. Do I still have to pay?"
The group exchanged looks before Emily smirked. "Fine, you get a pass this time. But next time, no excuses."
Once everyone settled in, Catherine stood up. "Alright, tonight, we focus on Devotion to Mary and the Saints. We'll go through key concepts, theological debates, and historical perspectives."
Maria flipped open her book. "We should divide this into sections. Emma, why don't you start with the origins of Marian devotion?"
Emma adjusted her glasses. "Okay, so Marian devotion dates back to the early centuries of Christianity. The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD declared Mary as Theotokos—the Mother of God—which significantly strengthened Marian devotion…"
The session continued as they took turns explaining concepts, asking questions, and writing down important points. Every hour, Catherine poured coffee for everyone, and snacks were passed around to keep their energy up.
By 1:30 AM, Kate yawned. "I think my brain is officially shutting down."
Jennifer stretched. "Let's do a quick quiz before we wrap up."
Maria picked up a notebook. "Alright, question one: What is the difference between veneration and worship in Catholic theology?"
Emily raised her hand. "Veneration, also known as dulia, is the honor given to saints, while worship, latria, is reserved for God alone."
Maria nodded. "Correct! Next question…"
By 2:00 AM, they were all exhausted but satisfied with their progress.
Catherine grinned. "Not bad for our first night. Who's hosting tomorrow?"
Kate sighed. "Me. And I'll be serving the best coffee, since I apparently owe you all one."
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The Routine Continues…
Each night, the group rotated rooms, following the same schedule. Maria's room was always the most organized, while Kate's had the best snacks. Jennifer's room had a warm ambiance with fairy lights, and Fiona always played soft instrumental music to keep them focused.
As the days passed, they grew more confident. Their discussions became deeper, their answers sharper, and their friendship stronger.
One night, while studying Overcoming Spiritual Challenges in Fiona's room, Emma sighed. "You know, no matter how much we prepare, I still feel nervous about the exams."
Maria smiled. "That's natural. But think about how far we've come. A year ago, we were struggling to balance everything. Now, we're handling it like pros."
Jennifer nodded. "And we have each other. That's what matters."
Kate yawned. "Okay, enough emotions. Let's get back to studying before I fall asleep."
They all laughed and continued their session, pushing forward with determination.
As the final days approached, they knew one thing for certain—no matter what happened, they had given it their all.