Dead Week is not so dead at the University of Idaho
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s the end of the semester inches closer, it’s easy to spot students shuffling around campus and Moscow. There is a cold, dead look in their eyes during the two weeks leading into finals.
Traditionally, the week prior to finals is known as Dead Week. The original intent of the week was to make classes “dead” in order to give students time to study and finish up work for classes.
However, this isn’t the case on the University of Idaho campus.
For many students Dead Week has become synonymous with papers and projects due, last-minute exams and an overwhelming feeling of dread.
Student stress levels run exceptionally high leading into Dead Week and Finals Week, which can often translate to damaging behaviors. Sleep deprivation from staying up all night to finish projects and papers, poor eating and consuming copious amounts of caffeine are very unhealthy habits.
There is also a risk of students turning to prescription amphetamines, such as Adderall or Ritalin, or other stimulants in order to stay focused. According to a study by the University of Kentucky’s Department of Communication in 2008, roughly 30 percent of college students use stimulants non-medically. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported in 2009 that full-time college students are twice as likely to have used Adderall for non-medical purposes.
A 2015 study from UI’s Alcohol and Other Drugs program also reported 9 percent of students used stimulants such as Adderall. This is up from 5 percent who reported such use in 2013.
These numbers can look concerning, especially if it is a result of students being stressed or overwhelmed with work that they can’t complete without the use of these stimulating drugs.
UI has changed the name of Dead Week to No-Exam Week. This idea is a good one in theory. Professors are not allowed to give exams in their classes during the week before finals. No-Exam Week is meant to be used for finishing course work and turning in papers.
However, some professors find a loophole in the system. For example, many science instructors host a lab practical that covers an entire semester’s worth of material during this time period. Others disguise exams by renaming them as quizzes or projects.
Luckily, UI offers several ways to combat the ever-increasing stress levels during the final weeks of the semester. For example, there will be therapy dogs available to be played with in the Idaho Commons Whitewater room from 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday thanks to Vandal Health Ed. During No-Exam Week, the SRC usually hosts free yoga classes as well as other forms of relaxation.
Students need the week before finals to sit down and study without worrying about attending classes or turning in homework assignments. Dead Week should be Dead Week, not a compromised No-Exam Week.
However, it isn’t all bad. The countdown to the end is shorter every day. So finish strong. We’re all in this together.
— CW