Leslie Knope is one of the most inspiring television characters of all time – she’s hardworking, resilient and responsible. She’s one of the best sources for motivation around.

As Aussie uni students begin to enter exam season (*crying heard in the distance*), we’re in need some of that infectious Leslie enthusiasm. Here are the 10 stages of exam season told by Leslie Knope.

#1 “There’s nothing we can’t do if we work hard, never sleep, and shirk all other responsibilities in our lives.”

The day my exam timetable is released, my brain goes into overdrive and I immediately think I have to modify everything in my life leading up to that first exam. Social commitments? Cancel! Shifts at work? Pass!

Sleep is for the weak, right?

#2 “I mean, they’re colour-coded for God’s sake!”

Isn’t getting all of your highlighters out the most exciting and pleasing thing ever? The bi-annual Officeworks trip to buy the colour-coded file of your dreams is always something to look forward to. That is, until you have to fill it with notes. Sigh.

#3 “I am a goddess.”

I am ALL for a good mantra, and this gem is the kind of sentence you can say to yourself in the mirror in your best power pose and feel amazing. Stick it up all over your room or on your notes, and find yourself believing it more day by day.

Yes, you reading this, you’re a goddess too!

#4 “I’ve seen over 300 episodes of Law and Order and it’s paying off big time!”

Ah, the all too familiar Netflix binge. The 4-hour break you justify in your head as “break time”! I can’t tell you the amount of Netflix shows I’ve watched and thought, “there’s a real-life application to be made in this show somewhere!”

Big Bang Theory? Maths. Drunk History? History. Glee? Music. Need I say more?

#5 “I need you to text me every 30 seconds saying that everything is gonna be OK.”

Shout out to all the uni mates going through exam season together! We’d be nobody without our late-night study buddies, who’ll drop anything to cram together and reassure each other that everything will work out just fine. Also, the post-exam euphoria is best experienced with these pals around!

#6 “Why would anyone eat anything besides breakfast food?”

Eating habits are a very interesting thing during exam season, and it pretty much goes without saying that anything goes. Cereal for dinner is a classic, as is chocolate at pretty much any time of the day. A special mention to those late-night study snack cravings, where really anything edible counts — and often, the more creative, the better!

#7 “I took your idea and I made it better.”

You know those professors who find it necessary to drill your exam prep with their ‘handy hints’ and tips on succeeding? This step is the time in the study process where your head fills with ideas of sticking it to the man! This may not be the smartest course of action to take, so be cautious when at this stage and maybe ease off that high horse. Maybe.

#8 “Oh well, math is worthless in real life.”

The dreaded “night before” stage of exam study. Don’t let it defeat you! Getting that expensive piece of paper known as your degree will be all the proof you need that this exam is not worthless. Plus, all that sweet holiday time you’ll have once you’re out of this exam room? That’s incentive enough!

#9 “Hey, Leslie. It’s Leslie. Hang in there. I love you. Bye.”

The day of the exam, give yourself the pep talk of your wildest dreams. Stay motivated and confident, and know you’ve got it in you to get through whatever your exam might throw at you. A voicemail to yourself Leslie-style might not hurt either.

#10 “I’m ready.”

Sit down at that desk as ready as Leslie Knope is at pretty much every moment in her life. Trust in your preparation and commitment to revision, and know that not everything hinges on that HD — just do the very best you can!

Good luck!

(All images: Parks and Recreation/NBC)