This fall, the traditional reading period that separates the end of classes from the onset of final exams seems much shorter. Actually, the time allotted by the University for reading days has not changed from last year. What has changed is where they fall during the week. The University should ensure that students receive ample time to prepare for final exams, which often represent a substantial portion of students’ grades.

Reading days have traditionally come on the Monday and Tuesday preceding exams. Because many students do not have classes on Fridays, having the reading period follow the weekend translates into a solid five days for students to catch up on work they missed, and devote time to study for the tests that will determine their final grades. An additional benefit is that students have more time to hold group study sessions. Plus, under the model used in past years, students have three days to seek out professors for help preparing for exams, without being interrupted by class assignments or additional test in between. Under this year’s schedule students will juggle their Monday class assignments and final preparations at the same time, detracting from the purpose of a reading period.

GW students are placed in their current predicament of having two study days in the middle of the week because of the odd way in which the academic calendar is constructed. Because GW recognizes several holidays observed on Mondays, the University must find a way to make up the time and remain within the 14 weeks of classes mandated by the Faculty Senate. Some solutions include holding classes on Columbus Day as many schools do, implant a designated Monday into the schedule in which students would attend their Monday classes on another day or begin classes earlier in August.

But logically, something must give. Maintaining a substantial reading period is in the best interests of students. Beyond the academic advantages, reading days are seen by many as a period of stress release prior to the high-pressure final exam period. The academic calendar is not an inflexible document. It is devised by the University and can and should be adjusted to give students the best possible chance to do well on their exams.