The exam period is, by nature, stressful. Preparation for finals overlaps with mounting due dates, whether for research papers or take-home exams. In the midst of such chaos, most students residing on campus have to consider yet another question: the ordeal of moving out.
Residents of UNB’s dorms must move out 24 hours after their last in-person exam. They are notified by Residence Life a month before the onset of the exam period and are expected to make the necessary arrangements to act in accordance. Last term, students received notice of their move-out date on November 11. If the resident, by virtue of flight itinerary, cannot abide by their assigned date, they have time to apply for an extension.
These rules and expectations are, of course, outlined in the Residence Contract of the University of New Brunswick. Policy regarding the moving-out period for the Winter break lies on the seventh page of the contract: “The Winter Holiday Break closure commences 24 hours after your final Fall Term exam.”
Residents of all but one residence, Elizabeth Parr-Johnston (EPJ), must vacate their rooms for the duration of the Winter break. Students accept these terms as they check into the dorms for the first time, whether in September (for most) or in January.
Nevertheless, students have expressed discontent with this convention. Sarah Perry, a first-year student in the Bachelor of Arts program, corroborates this perspective.
“It is too much pressure to have an exam on, let’s say, the 23rd, and be out by the 24th,” Perry states.
Although she benefits from the help of her parents to move out, she still packs by herself.
“It is definitely helpful,” she says. “I had a lot of clothes to bring home, maybe too much,” Perry completes.
The ordeal, however, is often not done once one gets home. In many faculties, take-home exams and research papers replace the traditional in-person examination.
“In December, I still had an essay to write, but I had to go home,” Perry notes. “It was hard to bring about the ‘okay, I need to work even though technically I am on vacation.’”
For international students, the circumstances are even worse. Julia Martins, a first-year Arts student hailing from Brazil, shared her opinion with The Brunswickan: “If there are changes to the rules, it would be much better for me.”
“Sometimes we don’t find a flight set for the next 24 hours,” she says.
In these circumstances, however, UNB residents are already entitled to a brief extension of their stay.
Martins also explains her moving process. She moves in and out by herself, although her friends do help take her to the airport.
“I organized the other things myself,” she clarifies.
“We should have more support to organize things,” Martins suggests. “And also we should have more time to organize things since sometimes we are probably busy studying for exams. We need to focus on the exams and, at the same time, remember everything else.”