WKU’s final exam schedule will be split between two weeks, with the first day of finals beginning on Friday.  

According to the Office of Registrar, Thursday, Dec. 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 9 will be days “reserved for study,” and no classes will be in session. In fall 2024, WKU’s fall exams immediately followed Thanksgiving break. 

Jennifer Hammonds, the executive director for Graduate Studies and University Registrar, said in Fall 2024 students expressed concerns about limited access to campus and labs during closure, lost time with family due to studying and feeling rushed to finish papers and projects. 

“The calendar committee reviewed options to provide more instructional time while still giving students space to complete major assignments,” Hammonds said in an email to the Herald. “The recommended solution was to hold at least one class meeting after Thanksgiving before finals, which also allowed for two Reading Days.” 

Hammond said Reading Days are designated, class-free days before exams when students can study and complete assignments. 

Dahlia Sooter, a junior social work major, said she prefers finals to take place over one week instead of being split into two. 

“I think that if we have finals on Friday and didn’t have the study day next week, then we could have the finals at the beginning of the week, and then we could go home earlier instead of being here longer,” Sooter said. 

Sooter said she does think that the Reading Days can be beneficial for students.

“It gives you an opportunity,” Sooter said. “Everyone’s classes are canceled on Thursday, so instead of going to class, they have the opportunity to study for your finals.”

The full final exam schedule can be found here.