In this week’s From the Archives, we look at the time of the year when droves of students crowd libraries and indulge in too much caffeine as they prepare for end-of-the-semester exams. From a comparison of different exam formats to a list of lesser-known study spots, this week takes us back to finals season at the University in decades past.
1950s
Dec. 8, 1955
“Cramming for Exams?”
This advertisement for NoDoz Awakeners, published in The Cavalier Daily during finals season, marketed the product as an effective energy boost for students cramming for finals.
1960s
Dec. 15, 1969
“Honors Program Exams Are Slated for 29 Students”
29 students who excelled in the College of Arts and Science’s honors program — majoring in subjects such as mathematics, philosophy, foreign affairs and religion — prepared for their examinations ahead of graduation.
1970s
Dec. 6, 1974
“Testing Methods: Subjective or Objective?”
By Tony Reichhardt
This article reviews the pros and cons of the different exam formats most commonly administered to students, including essay-based tests and multiple-choice examinations. The author references several interviews with professors in his review of each format and considers how best to ensure grading is fair and equal.
1980s
Dec. 4, 1981
“Crammers find studying options”
By Corki Baker
Photos by Tarn Rosenbaum
During the height of exam season, finding an open study spot in the usual locations on Grounds can be a challenge. The Cavalier Daily compiled a list of unconventional study spaces for students to take advantage of, as well as a few convenient places to grab a bite to eat.
1990s
Dec. 4, 1998
“On suicide watch: Hellish workweek begins for Architecture students”
By Mary Rekas
Photos by Corey Barber and Tengku Bahar
This article is a deep-dive into “charette” — the end-of-semester crunch time for Architecture students. The article describes how the two weeks before the final review of projects was notorious for its heavy workload, causing students to go as long as 60 hours straight without sleep. According to the piece, Architecture students could expect a few X-acto knife injuries by the end of the charrette and would rely on caffeine pills, 7-11 Slurpees and moments of fun in the process to keep their energy up.
2000s
Dec. 7, 2004
“Examining the new finals schedule”
By Cliff Roberts
Photos by Brian Gawalt
This article considered the merits of a newly-extended examination schedule for the Fall 2004 semester, which extended exams to as late as Dec. 21. Many students expressed concerns about the possibility of later exams, with some claiming the additional reading day added with the change would simply encourage procrastination.
Read More
Nine deans ask U.Va. Board of Visitors to pause selection of 10th president
By Ford McCracken | 20 hours agoThe deans said that naming a president should be paused until the Board can establish the “conditions of trust” necessary for the next president to succeed.
Changes to student IDs coming Jan. 1 encourage students to switch to mobile IDs
By Zara Javeri | YesterdayThe mobile ID is available via the Atrium Campus Connect app and can be added to Apple Wallet as well as Google Wallet.
Student Council discusses potential voting power for student representative on BOV
By Jaylynn Perez | YesterdayFourth-year College student Gregory Perryman currently serves as the student representative on the BOV as a non-voting member after beginning his one-year term June 1.
