If you haven’t already viewed the final exam schedule to see where you’re taking your finals, I suggest doing so soon — save yourself the surprise of finding out two days before your exam that you have to trek all the way past the Dairy Bar. After all, the experience of taking a final varies drastically from student to student, and location plays a big role in that difference. Most students would probably say that the ideal test-taking experience is comfortable and spacious, with plenty of room to write. Unfortunately, not every building on campus offers that.
Here are some of the best and worst places to take a final, ranked in tiers.
The Best
Martha Van Rensselaer Hall:
You’re in luck if you’re scheduled to take a final here. The lecture halls have long rows of continuous tables, so you’ll be able to write comfortably even if someone else is sitting next to you. Additionally, the building is bright and well lit with an overall welcoming atmosphere. If you get to your final early, the ground atrium has a variety of comfortable seating areas for last-minute studying.
Warren Hall:
Although the main lecture hall, B25, is on the smaller side and has the ‘small desk problem’ that plagues many final exam locations on campus, the classrooms offer plenty of room to write if you’re scheduled to take your final there. Warren Hall is one of the more modern buildings, so I find that the temperature stays consistent without being too hot or cold. Overall, it’s a clean, bright building and one of the better locations to take a final.
Mid
Statler Hall Auditorium:
The desks here are small, and the rows of seats are close together, which makes it hard to squeeze past someone to get to a seat. It can also get quite cold. That being said, there’s nothing particularly terrible about this location, especially if you’re seated on the first floor. The auditorium itself is large and doesn’t feel too cramped. If you’re on the balcony, however, it can be incredibly hard to view how much time is remaining (which course staff usually project onto a screen). For those of you who need to check the time every five minutes, this can be frustrating.
Baker Laboratory:
If you live on North Campus, this is one of the more convenient locations to take a final. Though, Baker has many of the same issues as other buildings on this list. The desks are small, and some of the lecture halls feature a balcony, which again makes it more difficult for students seated there to keep track of time. However, the temperature generally remains at a comfortable level, and there aren’t any standout problems with this location.
Barton Hall:
After speaking to several students, I realized that this location is incredibly controversial. Of course, taking a final in Barton entails sitting across from a classmate on a long table as if you’re having an awkward dinner. Any sound will echo — meaning that a single cough (which often sets off a chain of coughs) can become quite the cacophony. Additionally, the digital clocks set on either side of the space (since there are no wall clocks) are hard to see if you’re sitting in certain spots. Although there are definitely downsides, Barton has some redeeming qualities. The location is spacious, and there’s more than enough elbow room at each table. Overall, it’s a decent location to take an exam.
The Worst
Uris Hall G01:
The bright red walls in this room don’t do much to calm any test-taking nerves and rather amplifies them. The desks are also so tiny that there’s barely any space to write out your answers without your hand inevitably cramping. Not to mention, you’ll be drenched in sweat from both stress and the heat of the room.
Bailey Hall:
Although I’ve personally never taken an exam here, I have had a few classes in Bailey. For one, there are no desks, so a paper exam would have to be taken hunched over a clipboard. It doesn’t get much better if your exam is online — the internet speed in Bailey is notoriously slow, which can lead to long loading times and connectivity issues, wasting precious seconds you could be spending on your exam.
Morrison Hall:
Morrison Hall (different from Toni Morrison Hall) is located near the Vet School. For the vast majority of students, it is incredibly far, meaning you’ll have to leave extra early if you have a 9 a.m. exam (as if having a 9 a.m. exam wasn’t bad enough). The interior of the building is slightly dim and not particularly modern. If you’re someone who needs a well-lit space to concentrate, you’re out of luck with Morrison.
Overall, no two test-taking experiences are the same. Hopefully, you’ll be able to make the best of wherever you’re scheduled to take your exams. I encourage everyone to make sure to get plenty of rest, hydration and fuel during finals week. Best of luck in preparing for finals!
Krystal Kymn is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at klk239@cornell.edu.
