10 Worst Realities of McGill Finals
The smell of rubber is in the air. Why do you ask? Because it’s finals season at McGill University and you’re sitting for it in the gym! So put your runners on and move on up!!
Finals, wherever they are held, are an inevitable part of your McGill experience so it’s best to be forewarned of these unique pitfalls.
1. Good luck finding a chair on campus
McGill has a massive downtown campus, bigger than any other university in the area, but you still won’t be able to find a quiet place to study during finals month. Your best bet is to consult our previous blog entitled “Guide to Finding the Perfect McGill Study Space” for some helpful tips to beat the crowds.
2. Exam conflicts
Despite McGill’s excellent scheduling system, many of your exams can be booked on the same day, if not at the same time. If this is the case, fear not. Use the following link to learn about all your rights in case you need an exam deferral.
The general rule however is you can’t have 3 exams in 24 hours. For the steps to defer an exam at McGill click here.
3. You need your student ID
This is not a misconception or a myth. You absolutely need your student ID to sit for any exam. Prepare it in advance and never leave home without it!
4. Your Prof might not show
Considering the size of the student body at McGill, some profs find it difficult to make it to every exam. Do not rely on them showing up. Move to the next question and pray to a Higher Power for help.
5. Jackets go under the chair
Before any exam can begin, all your bags have to be in the front of the exam hall, and your jackets must be under the chair. This means you have no visual of your stuff, and your coat will surely be grey with dust. Fantastic…
6. Forget about OAP
OAP or Open-Air-Pub is a great little pop-up venue on campus featuring live music, food and lots of beer and is open to all students. But this time around, you are uninvited because you have 5 exams scheduled on the same week of the festivities. Brew some coffee!
7. That one guy with a cough
Because the gym is so large, it can fit several exams at the same time. Contending with a few students sneezing and coughing in a classroom of 30 is one thing, it’s quite another when you multiply that number by a factor of 5. Now you have a serious noise pollution problem on your hands. Bring earplugs, or extra cough drops to donate via the exam monitors to the sickies!
8. Wobbly tables
I can’t count how many times I sat for an exam and landed on a desk that appeared to be haunted by dancing spirits! Not only is the clanging noise disruptive but can cause much stress when you are trying to balance your desk and your pen at the same time! Be prepared and bring little sheets of paper that can balance the desk. It will save you 3 hours of torment.
9. When you need to go to the bathroom
Now, here is something that requires signatures in triplicate and you're firstborn! If you really need to go, make sure you make eye contact with a monitor. Wave if you have to.
10. The Endless Rules and Regulations
Be sure to read McGill exam regulations before judgement day. You do not want to be caught in a situation that you can’t talk your way out of! Be sure to check out the McGill Exam Regulations
Trying to survive university? Check out this video on 5 essential apps that will help you succeed:
Related Posts
Study with Us
The help you need to get the grades you want.
Previous Blog
LSAT Prep Timeline: When to Start and What to Study
Next Blog
How to Study When You Don’t Want to
Other posts you might like:
Studying
What to Do if You’re Failing a Class in College
No one wants to fail a class at college or university, but what happens if you are failing a class i... Read More
L
Lindy Ledohowski