With its relaxed vibe and comfortable seating, Norris is always a popular choice for studying, especially as finals season approaches. Starting from Friday, December 1, Norris will have special rooms designated for quiet studying while the building itself will remain open until midnight. There will also be free printing offered on the ground floor of Norris, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of that 20 page essay.
Although all of this studying is important, it’s also healthy for students to occasionally stop and take breaks, which is why Norris has organized Fall Exam Relief. On Friday, December 1, exam relief programming kicks off with “Skate Away the Stress.” From 3:00-7:00 PM on this night, student admission to the Norris ice rink will be reduced to only $2. If you need to take a break from the chilly outdoors, come inside to enjoy a warm meal at the mashed potato bar.
Then on Sunday, December 3, head underground into the Norris Game Room to have some fun with grocery bingo and play for the chance to win a gift card to Whole Foods. The game starts at 8:00 PM, so arrive on time for the best chance of winning. After bingo is over, stick around for a late night snack at 10:00 PM, or when Norris closes at midnight, head over to the main library for a free coffee.
Your dog might not be available to comfort you during finals, but on Monday, December 4, you can experience similar joy by spending time with very special guests- miniature horses. Miniature horses will be visiting in the Wildcat Room and the Evans Room from 2:00-3:30 PM. Then after 10:00 PM, swing by the 1999 area of Norris for some cookies and milk.
After exams have started, students may feel some tension within their bodies. To relieve this, on Tuesday, December 5, free full-body massages will be offered in the Wildcat Room from 7:00-9:00 PM. There are no appointments, but lines generally become quite long, so students should try to come early. Additionally, there will be a free pancake breakfast from 11:00 PM until midnight, with DJ-WNUR providing music to liven up the night.
Finishing off the week, take a “Break for Bagels” at 10:00 PM on Wednesday, December 6. When you have finals coming up, you want your attention to be on your notes, not your growling stomach. The array of bagels and cream cheese spread out on the ground floor of Norris will quiet your stomach so that you can focus on what matters.
There’s no denying that finals is a stressful time for all involved, but Norris’s Exam Relief schedule was designed to give Northwestern students the support they need to be successful throughout exams. Besides, who doesn’t love free food?