# The Final Countdown

**Source**: https://admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/clara/2024/05/07/final-countdown-study-breaks-during-finals
**Parent**: https://admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/1614

by [Clara](https://admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/1614 "Clara") in

[#Academics](https://admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/category/academics "#Academics"), [#At Home, At Yale](https://admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/category/at-home-at-yale "#At Home, At Yale"), [#Campus Life](https://admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/category/campus-life "#Campus Life"), [#Residential Colleges](https://admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/category/residential-colleges "#Residential Colleges")
on 05.07.2024

Finals week is a period of dread, sleepless nights, despair. The week leading up to it is slightly better. The week between the last day of classes and the beginning of official final exams is known as Reading Week, a time of procrastination, catching up on sleep, and chasing deadlines. Students can be spotted everywhere on campus, taking walks as a break from their desks, slouching over the desks in Sterling taking practice tests, or falling asleep in Bass doing their readings. Even though this all sounds extremely sad and glum, there is some light to this week of brief freedom. Throughout the week, Bass attempts to lift up the spirits of the pained students through goodie bags, reminding students that happiness is just one smiley face sticker and 3D take-apart eraser away.

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I love hoarding erasers

Additionally, student organizations on campus also try to fill up the time now that classes are over. For example, [Yale Chinese American Students Association](https://www.instagram.com/yale.casa/?hl=en) (CASA) set up a boba and bubble waffles booth in Bass Cafe as a fundraiser for the club while also serving as a sweet treat break for all the study bugs camped out in the library. My favorite study break, however, is the one hosted by the [Student Activities Committee](https://timothydwight.yalecollege.yale.edu/student-life/student-activities-committee-sac) (SAC) in collaboration with Timothy Dwight College that provides a variety of food at 9 or 10PM.

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cookies for insomniac students

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my stash

As TD converts the dining hall into a 24 hour study spot (with exception to meal service times), the camaraderie of working together fuels the last push towards the end of the semester. There is a constant supply of coffee, tea, water, and leftover desserts from meal times. At night, there is a special SAC Study Break with takeout from a variety of local restaurants that range from Chipotle to Town Pizza, a local pizza store that’s been partnering with TD for years. As an avid TDer and fan, nothing beats being in TD and getting free food.

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study bug infestation

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students’ lifeline

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classic TD tradition