INSPIRED by the "Twelve Days of Christmas," I brainstormed what my University could do for me this holiday season. Here are 12 things that would either make it on my wish list, or that have got me excited about the next two weeks.
Twelve construction-free days: A University-wide moratorium on construction during the entire last week of classes and the finals period would be a huge boon to already harried students. Regularly this semester, three of my five classes have been disturbed by noise from construction, and the last thing the student body needs during the last two weeks of the semester is the distraction of someone banging on a pipe or sawing concrete. It might send some of the more high-strung among us over the edge.
Eleven days without 8 a.m. classes. The single greatest silver lining surrounding our exam period is the fact that students can largely set their own schedules. This, of course, means no shoving out of bed at 7 a.m. for a lecture. All bets are off for early morning exams, however.
Ten wins for the football team. A victory over Texas Tech would break into double-digit wins for the first time in years, would help redeem the early season loss to Wyoming, and would help cleanse my palate of the bad taste left by the Virginia Tech debacle.
Nine hours of sleep. While a lost cause during much of the regular semester, this myth becomes reality on off-days during exam time. And it is ever so sweet.
Eight extra hours of Alderman Library time. The most useful library for many liberal arts majors as well as my personal favorite, Alderman's exam period hours remain roughly the same as their non-crisis period hours. The University ought to keep it open around the clock during exam periods, as some of us need the extra time in our optimal study space. At the very least, it ought to keep pace with Clark, which stays open during the regular semester until 2 a.m.
Seven wins for the men's basketball team. Last year's NCAA tournament run provided some of the highlights of the spring semester. A run of victories from now through the end of the Christmas holidays would be a great step toward doing it again, especially if the Cavaliers can knock off Duke in Durham on January 13 before facing Virginia Tech at home for a little revenge.
Six successful finals for those poor souls that have to take 18 credits. My hat is off to you. Godspeed.
Five improved course evaluations. The current system for evaluating courses may provide some useful information to the faculty and the University administration, but frankly it serves little purpose in aiding students in selecting classes. Some individual departments have more flexible and more informative evaluation forms, particularly the English department, the information from which would be much more useful to students than the current format.
Four inches of snow. I can dream, can't I? Snow during finals provides an exciting study break, and the relatively free days without classes and activities might actually allow students to enjoy it. Unfortunately it also causes chaos when one doesn't know if his or her exam has been canceled.?
Less than three weeks until Christmas. If exams have you down, just focus that thought, Peter Pan-like in your mind, and watch your spirits soar.
Two exams on one day. It might be a little rough the night before the exams and at the time you are taking them, but the ability to complain to your friends about how bad your day was cannot be overestimated.
One week of total relaxation with family. I would wish this for every student over the next few weeks. Spend some time with your parents and siblings, because they've missed you at least as much as you've missed them.
Merry Christmas, University community. I wish everyone a safe trip home, and I hope everyone's holidays are a blessed time filled with cheer, family and much happiness.
Robby Colby's column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at rcolby@cavalierdaily.com.
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