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Another Year in the Books

Rachel Laforge , , , , , , , , , , ,

We’ve officially entered the home stretch of the 2021-2022 academic year, and students are feeling the pressure. St. Thomas University and the University of New Brunswick each have one remaining week before entering the exam period. Hefty final projects, essays and presentations compete for due dates as students try to cram in some study time between it all. Not many get a chance to glance up from their keyboard or notepads as the warmer weather approaches, leaving them anticipating the class-free weeks ahead. 

Students sit in groups of friends to ease the stress of hefty workloads.
Photo Credit: Rachel Laforge

“For me the end of the semester is a little busy for sure. I’ve definitely been focusing on a lot of final papers and a couple big final presentations which is a little aggravating because it gives me not [much of] an opportunity to study for my exams that I have coming up yet because I’m so focused on trying to get through all the papers and presentations,” says fourth year UNB Psych student Kayla Huelin.

Fourth year UNB Psychology student Kayla Huelin tells about her stressful to-do list.
Photo credit: Rachel Laforge

On the other hand, some students have had a less stressful end of semester, compared to previous years. Fourth year UNB Applied Arts student Gavin Giles says his end of term is fairly relaxed.

“This year was just mostly electives, so my workload isn’t too bad. I don’t have any like final final exams, which is nice, so, I’ve just got lots of term papers due and presentations and some small quizzes in class, but it’s pretty chill.”

Fourth year UNB Applied Arts student Gavin Giles enjoys a relatively calm end of term.
Photo credit: Rachel Laforge

Many study halls around campus house focused students, with their heads down, writing, reading or typing away. Though the spring weather outside is beautiful, and the campus is basking in the sun, there aren’t too many faces free to be outside leisurely enjoying the warmth just yet. 

You can hear a pin drop in STU’s Daniel O’Brian Study Hall this week.
Photo credit: Rachel Laforge

The end-of-year mindset, however, can make learning, focusing, and self-discipline all the harder. Some students find the yearning for the end of term to impede their studying or essay writing.

“I’ve got lots of free time…but that’s also because I procrastinate to the last minute and then do everything at once,” Giles says. 

No traffic outside on campus on a warm, sunny day, as students are too busy studying inside.
Photo credit: Rachel Laforge

With summer around the corner, and all types of students managing their crazy schedules in all kinds of ways, the one thing we all have in common is that we’re ready to have another year in the books.