“Reading” Week

How many of you are planning to whip out those books next Monday and start reading – 1,000, 100, 50, 5, none? Many students, including myself, have luckily finished exams and at least most of their essays just in time for reading week. It is quite hard to say that many of us will actually utilize this time off well. Is it necessarily a bad thing?

Reading week is important for two reasons. Firstly, if you use your time wisely, this week is very valuable. It enables students to get a head start on assignments, or catch up on readings and material. It also allows for organization of notes in preparations for finals (or maybe that’s just me). Secondly, if you’ve just finished exams, then good on you for getting them done and here’s the perfect time to recuperate and work at your own pace. If you haven’t had your exams yet, lucky you! You have a whole week to study.

I have not yet experienced a university Reading Week, but I don’t think it differs much to high school March Break. You have one week off, you either use it or abuse it. I plan to catch up on my Film readings since those have been piling up quite a bit. I also have two essays due after the break which I would rather work on at my leisure during the break rather than cramming them into all-nighters on the first Monday back.

This is also a lovely opportunity to go home and spend some time with my family back in Toronto. It is hard living away from home and having so very little opportunity to spend a comfortable amount of time at home without being pried from my queen size bed two days later.

My advice to you out there is use this time wisely. Your school year is coming to an end. Before you know it you will be back at home, so use this week to get what you need to get done. This way you have the opportunity to divide your time between school and friends without feeling the pressure of last-minute studying and assignments over your head.