Near the end of every semester, organizations hold programs, events or services for the student body. Whether it’s the anticipated midnight breakfast in the Student Center or a surprise performance by some ensemble in the library, exams aren’t the only things going on around finals week.
Many events during finals week involve free food. The Student Center Programs Council (SCPC) holds a midnight breakfast during finals week where faculty and staff serve pancakes, eggs and sausages to work-weary students in the Student Center. This year, midnight breakfast is on Tuesday, May 1.
Student organizations across campus also host events that cater to their members prior to finals. One organization, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), hosts a Starbucks Study Break for its members during Dead Week. During this event, SWE members meet one last time for free Starbucks drinks before the semester closes.
“We hold this event because we are a group that largely focuses on mentoring and support of fellow female engineering students, and finals time is one of the times when support is most needed,” said Sheree Tamaklo, 2011-2012 president of SWE and third-year NRE major.
However, many impromptu shenanigans arise close to the end of the semester as well. Frommembers of Tech’s band blasting the fight song outside freshman dorms to the primal screams of burnt-out students emanating from windows across campus at midnight, keep an eye out for unusual happenings.
Various residence halls hold group study sessions where students meet up and study for classes they have together. Hall councils host “Finals Food” where the remainder of the budget is used to buy food for residents during finals week.
During the last week, the Tech Library keeps its doors open 24/7 to help students with their last all-nighters of the semester. On the Wednesday before finals, the Library collaborates with the Campus Recreation Center (CRC), Office of Health Promotion and Counseling Center to host, “StressBuzzters.”
Students receive giveaway snacks, stress balls and stress-reduction tips from The Counseling Center and Office of Health Promotion staff. Students can also receive free massages from massage therapists courtesy of the CRC.
“We aim to be a helpful, compassionate and user-centered resource for the Tech community. Tech is a very rigorous academic environment,” said Ameet Doshi, User Experience Librarian. The “StressBuzzters” program is just one way the Library collaborates with campus partners to provide stress relief and support for students during exam time.
Finals are soon upon us, but finding ways to distract oneself and blow off steam isn’t hard to do on this campus. Keep an eye out for happenings.