Hey guys,
Sorry that it’s been so long since I’ve posted a blog, but I had NO idea the toll that finals would take on me.
At Rochester, we have a week-long Thanksgiving break and then when we return to school, there’s essentially two weeks until finals start. The good news is that you’re done with finals before winter break (which is not always the case)! But it does make for a different campus dynamic when you return from Thanksgiving, because you’ve had a taste of break.
The most comical aspect of finals is that EVERY SPACE IN THE LIBRARIES IS TAKEN, yet the dorms are significantly quieter than the library is (and in my opinion, a better place to study) because everyone is in the library. If you’re a library veteran, it can be annoying to have “your spot” taken by someone who hasn’t studied in the library all semester. I recommend avoiding this possible damage to morale by studying in multiple locations.
However, just because your projects are due doesn’t mean there still isn’t time for fun. There was an excess of study breaks to help students survive through finals week. Every group on campus was hosting events to make the finals/reading period more enjoyable for the community. These study breaks were a great way to meet people because many fraternities, sororities, and other campus groups were hosting social events, WITH FOOD, so that you could catch up on your physical and social health by eating some snacks and meeting some people.
My finals went pretty well, I can’t complain too much. I learned a lot and I’m definitely content with how my first semester went at UR. I’m SUPER STOKED for second semester. I honestly think it’s going to be even more fun than my fall semester.
Looking back on my first semester, I’d have to say that my favorite part was meeting all of the brilliant, interesting, and wonderful people that attend this school. If you’re dying to meet people who will help make you ‘ever better,’ I assure you that the University of Rochester is everything and more than what these blogs make it out to be.