Organic Chemistry, Discrete Mathematics, Analytical Chemistry, Probability and Statistics, Physics and Humanities—six classes with six final exams created a stressful exam period for sophomore Zuzanna Michalak. 

Unfortunately for Michalak, all of her exams were scheduled in the first three consecutive days of exam week. With classes ending on Tuesday and finals commencing on Wednesday and lasting until Friday, Michalak struggled to find ample time to study, relying on endless amounts of coffee to fuel her sleepless nights dedicated to reviewing textbooks and class notes.

“Taking six classes last semester, finals week was literally hell week: three finals on the first day, two on the second and one on the third.  I did study leading up to finals, but a reading day would have been extremely helpful,” Michalak said. “I was so overwhelmed and nervous that I would not have enough time to prepare for my exams and I wondered why Iona didn’t have a day devoted solely to studying.  This day would not have been used as a last minute study day, but it would have helped me review, re-coup and de-stress before the exams began.”

Michalak’s sentiments reflect those of many Iona students who feel distressed with a final examination period sans a reading day for exam preparation.

Reading Day  is a day set aside by a college, university, or other school for students to use to study for final exams, and for the past several semesters, Iona has been without a reading day. Yet, thanks to the determination of the Student Government Association (SGA) and College Council Committee on Academic Affairs, Reading Day will be reintroduced into the academic calendar beginning in the 2011-2012 academic year.

“The elimination of Reading Day was primarily due to a decision based upon the demands of the academic calendar.  The College is required, under New York State law, to meet for a required minimum number of hours,” Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Warren Rosenberg said. “As our residential population grew, we decided just a few years ago to cancel classes on the day before Thanksgiving so that residential students would have that day to travel back home. In recognition of our service men and women who currently serve in our defense, we also had added Veterans’ Day as a class cancelation. Finally, with a snow day built in to the Fall final exam schedule, we simply found that we would fall short of State requirements if Reading Day was maintained.”

However, the e-board members and constituents of SGA began to recognize the increased level of stress placed on the students with the elimination of Reading Day, and began to fight for its return to the academic calendar.

“Members of the Executive Board felt strongly about the importance of the [reading] day for the student body,” SGA Executive Vice President Michael Petre said. “More importantly, student representatives brought up the fact that they also had wondered why Reading Day was taken away and that they wanted it back so that they could utilize it as a preparatory day for finals.”

After several meetings with the College Council, the Board of Trustees, and President of Iona College Br. James A. Liguori regarding Reading Day, “The College Council Committee on Academic Affairs discussed the issue and realized that the few students who were not utilizing the day for its potential should not hold back the rest of the student body who does use it to prepare for finals week,” Petre said. 

“Reading Day was reinstated because the students asked for it,” Rosenberg said. “I hope that the students realize that they have a voice, that their request was addressed and that they utilize the reading day as it is intended.” 

Petre added, “SGA hopes that the student body will be pleased with this addition to the yearly calendar starting in Fall 2011 and that they will utilize it wisely in the future.”

Students like  Michalak are grateful for SGA’s strong dedication to advocating on behalf of the students and pleased by the college’s decision to reinstate Reading Day.

 “Having a reading day will be an incredible benefit for students not only in terms of grades, but also in terms of having the extra time to study and reducing the anxiety that comes with these exams,” Michalak said.

“I’m happy with the college’s decision and, hopefully, I will never have to experience the intense level of stress provoked by six finals in three days without a reading day for preparation.”