I was originally annoyed that we didn't have two reading weeks but as we move into November, I feel somewhat glad we don't. In first year, a lack of a reading week really forces you to be on the ball and pushes you to work your hardest. As well, you don't have to worry about wasting the week which some of us, especially those still adjusting, may inadvertently do due to excessive tiredness etc

I have heard that the reason the University of Calgary has a mini reading week in october tied in with thanksgiving and an extended chirstmas holiday is because of high suicide rates. The rationale is that if you have more time off/study time you are less stressed.
I am sure to most students though an additional reading week will be lost on them. People use reading week as an excuse to relax not to actually read. I know there are some out there that do study during it but from everyone I know you would be in the minority.

Originally Posted by JeffB

I have heard that the reason the University of Calgary has a mini reading week in october tied in with thanksgiving and an extended chirstmas holiday is because of high suicide rates. The rationale is that if you have more time off/study time you are less stressed.
I am sure to most students though an additional reading week will be lost on them. People use reading week as an excuse to relax not to actually read. I know there are some out there that do study during it but from everyone I know you would be in the minority.

I've heard the same, especially with Universities in Northern Ontario.

Originally Posted by sew12

Maybe I should clarify my stance.

For my program specifically I feel like we would benefit from a week off in order to have time to focus on working on our major projects and assignments that will be due. We don't have exams in most of our courses so the bulk of the course mark is made up from our progress on, presention of and the final product for our major product. Therefore less lecture time doesn't really affect us all that much. We cover a lot of material important in aiding us in creating our final project this is true but there isn't normally an exam at the end (sometimes tests within the course) that we need to be able to cover a set amount of material for.

I have a lot of projects and assignments with due dates approaching in early November and presentations to prepare for etc. I personally feel a week off at this point would be very beneficial, but that is just me and based on my courses and what is going on at this point in my education.

Obviously lots of people disagree with me and they feel they need the extra time to cover material in lecture that will no doubt be on their final exam and I understand this. Just clarifying that having time to work on my projects would be worth it to me, I don't feel it would be a waste of my money.

Awwww, they just don't understand the plight of the poor MM student. Group flash projects = hell on earth.

I feel your pain, I really do.

Originally Posted by michelle

Awwww, they just don't understand the plight of the poor MM student. Group flash projects = hell on earth.

I feel your pain, I really do.

Ah yes group flash projects. That's one of the many things I need to start working on this week. Please Flash, be nice to me.

I'd bring cookies to the lab, but my key doesn't work anymore. :(

Cookies will be a necessity and coke and pizza and my fix of choice soy chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries from Bridges. Must put money on student card.

Commuting and Multimedia sucks. I miss being in residence where I could spend all night in the lab, walk a few meters back to my room and crash and get up the next morning and do it all again.

Rendering Maya all night lab party memories *sniff*

Okay, so, I was talking to a couple friends the other day, and one of them mentioned that a girl had committed suicide recently due to midterm stress. Apparently, I don't know if this is true, but the reason some schools have two reading weeks is because their suicide rate was apparently higher than Mac's, because of stress related to school, and that's why they have 2 reading weeks as opposed to one.

I don't know exactly.. I mean, it's the first I've heard of such a thing.

That's crazy.

I mean I've been known to get extremely stressed out over exams to the point where I become physically ill but I've never thought of killing myself over it. It sucks but you get through the few days, or couple weeks or whatever and its hell but you move past it.

That's so sad.

At Mac?
On Thursday, I think or it may have been Tuesday, the flags were flying at half mast. And I thought that was strange because there wasn't any specific occasion to remember (Remembrance Day etc) and if there was we probably wouldn't have Homecoming music blaring everywhere...I asked my sister later (who's a 4th year at a different university) and she said it was probably because a student passed away

Originally Posted by goodnews.inc

At Mac?
On Thursday, I think or it may have been Tuesday, the flags were flying at half mast. And I thought that was strange because there wasn't any specific occasion to remember (Remembrance Day etc) and if there was we probably wouldn't have Homecoming music blaring everywhere...I asked my sister later (who's a 4th year at a different university) and she said it was probably because a student passed away

another thread explains why the flags were lowered ...it was to remember a prof that passed away

It's not so much that a second reading week is needed. It's more of a case where the workload (readings and assignments) and their respective due dates needs to be more reasonable. Many seem to forget that moderation is best. Then again, it's not like it's impossible to manage these things but when the problem affects so many students you kind of need to adapt to the needs of the population even if it is their own fault.