Finals Week At Fordham!

It’s that time of the year again! Snowfall, hot chocolate, gift exchanges...and finals. Here at Fordham, all of our students are starting to buckle down and prepare for the last projects and tests of the semester. While this is definitely one of the most high-stress times of the year, Fordham does its best to help all of our studious Rams relax a bit with some finals-week traditions, including...

1. 24/7 Library Access

If you find yourself cramming for a test or feverishly writing up one last paper (and, let’s be real, we’ve all been there), the library is the place to go. And luckily for Fordham students, the library is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week during finals. Pick a cozy study spot and read away--you’ll be in good company!

2. Christmas Mass

Even for those who don’t attend a Catholic church, attending Christmas Mass at Fordham is on the bucket-list of all Fordham students. Though it takes place on the Sunday right in the middle of finals week, tons of students make time to spend an hour listening to the mass preached by Father McShane--if only because he makes a ton of finals week jokes during the sermon.

3. Rodrigue's Coffee and Tea Specials

If you’re going to be burning the midnight oil, it would be a good idea to stop by Rodrigues and pick up one of their unlimited coffee or tea cards; if you buy one, you get twenty-five cent coffee and tea refills anytime during finals. That beats running to Starbucks every half hour!

4. Midnight Breakfast

The biggest finals week tradition at Fordham is Midnight Breakfast. Take a break from studying and come on down to the McGinley, where Father McShane and Co. will whip up waffles, scrambled eggs, bagels, bacon, and whatever other breakfast food you want in order to keep you full and focused on learning.

So don’t fear, future Rams! Finals week may be stressful, but our community will support you through thick and thin!

Staying Sane During Finals at Fordham

     As December rolls around, so does one of the most dreaded times of year for college students everywhere: finals. While finals at Fordham are certainly no joke when compared to other schools, that doesn't necessarily mean we have to suffer as badly as everyone else — and there's a lot to do around here to take the stress off your mind, even if it's only for an hour or two.

      To destress, CAB (Campus Activities Board) offers everything from free massages to stress relief puppies in the McGinley Student Center. Another common outing made by students to take a break from studying is to go christmas shopping; whether it be on 5th Avenue, Columbus Circle, SoHo, or online from the comfort of your own dorm. Each of those destinations are place people fly to New York from across the world to shop at, but for us it's just a subway, Metro-North, or Ram Van ride away!

The Foyer of the New York Public Library at Bryant Park

     If you're the kind of person who needs to lock yourself inside a library for hours on end to concentrate, Fordham certainly has you covered. With the Walsh Family Library at Rose Hill, and the Quinn and (brand new and beautiful) Law School Libraries at Lincoln Center, you won't have to go too far from your dorm or classroom. If you want a change of scenery however, the New York Public Library at Bryant Park is a common destination for many students, just a short ride away on the D train from either campus.

     If a library doesn't meet your needs and you need a more remote space to escape from school and really be able to concentrate, you're not alone once again. New York may seem like the distraction capital of the world, but there are precious pockets of the city that are perfect to get away from the buzz of campus and New York life in general. My personal favorite spot away from campus to read over my notes and prep for exams is the East River Promenade, that stretches from 60th to 98th street on the Upper East Side, a short ride away from campus on the 4 train.

A Panoramic View from the East River Promenade at Night

    But not to break from Fordham tradition, finals can never officially start until after the midnight breakfast on the last reading day— because how can you feel comfortable taking an exam if you didn't get your french toast sticks from Father McShane?

Midnight Breakfast Mania!!

Poster for Midnight Breakfast

Father McShane and his associates serving up some food

Just some of the lovely spread

  It is 11:30 at night. There is one final left between myself and the holiday break and I have just finished eating breakfast. Midnight Breakfast is the wonderful study break that we, Fordham students, are treated to during finals week only twice a year. Midnight breakfast is the stuff finals-madness dreams are made of. We get the chance to put down our books and our laptops and take a break from studying and stressing to enjoy some delicious - FREE - breakfast foods served to us by the university's faculty, including the President of Fordham, Father McShane. Everything from waffles to french toast and cheerios to melon is at our disposal. The chance to take a breather, socialize, and eat is greatly appreciated by every student on campus and a nice break from studying to look forward to. On top of all the food this year there was also a giant inflatable snowglobe for students to go inside and have their photo taken with friends. One student would even win the chance to go inside with Father McShane and have their photo taken with him. Midnight Breakfast is always a successful - delicious - much needed break from the stress of finals and the anticipation of break. Now just one more semester between me and my next Midnight Breakfast! Bon Appetit!