Living Davidson Tell me about your Finals Schedule and I’ll tell you what you should do this Summer!

Happy finals season, everyone. Hopefully you’re not reading this through your tears (and if you are, don’t let the Newspaper get wet. It did nothing to deserve that treatment.), but if you are, let me ease your mind a bit by focusing on the future past finals - read on to get some advice about your summer (you’re so close, I promise!)

Let’s start simple - how many finals do you have?

A 2- Not the worst, not the best

B. 3 (but they all are really gonna suck so you think you should get the treatment as if you have 4)

C. 4…yes you have been crying a lot lately, how did I know?

D . Just 1, suckers.

Do you have to take any reviews through the exam center/in person?

A . Yes, in person in class.

B . No, you only have papers/projects.

C . Yes, more than one in the exam center.

D. No, all your reviews are take-home.

Mostly A’s: Find a new hobby - Remember the couple weeks of quarantine where you decided that you were going to uncover your secret artistic talents? And how that new hobby died before it even started? Well, it’s time to return to your roots. Maybe watch some youtube tutorials on knitting,

Mostly C’s:

Take a nap - I am dead serious. Please, just give yourself time to take a nap for as long as you need. If you wake up disoriented 6 hours after you originally fell asleep, consider it the blessing it is.

How’re you planning to procrastinate studying (oh come on, we know each other well enough now to be truthful…we both know you’re gonna do it!)

A. Pretend you’re studying and really just stare off into space and daydream (a personal favorite of this author’s)

B. Clean, do your laundry, answer emails. In other words, become the most productive person in the world when it comes to everything but your schoolwork.

C. Do daily mental breakdowns count? Because if they do, that’s your chosen fashion.

D. Binging TV (as in - you haven’t gotten out of bed for the past couple days and your roommate quietly asked how you were feeling this morning)

Mostly B’s: Take a vacation/staycation - I don’t care if you go to the beach, the mountains, to another country, or to a park in your hometown for the day, but my advice to you is to give yourself some new environment to relax in this summer.

Mostly D’s: Update your Linkedin - This may seem like a small task, but I KNOW you have been putting it off. You have no excuses over the summer, so you better do it while you have the time.

MAGGIE THRALL ‘26 (SHE/HER)

We Are Wildcats is a human-interest column that aims to share the extraordinary within the ordinary at Davidson College and to showcase the inspiring things that make each and every Wildcat unique. If you wish to be featured or know someone whose story needs to be heard, please feel free to contact saathreya@davidson.edu! Stay tuned for future stories! This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

With more than 80% of Davidson College students choosing to study abroad during their four years, there are hundreds of options available. Ranging from Prague to Jordan, students have the opportunity to dive deeper into their studies while immersing themselves into new and exciting cultures. Aidan Rose Devlin ‘26 and Carolyn Thompson ‘25 are two students who have struck at the chance to gain a new perspective. AR plans to travel to Amman, Jordan for a summer abroad learning Arabic and Carolyn to Copenhangen, Denmark for her fall semester as a junior to expand her psychology and neuroscience education.

And finally, how are you predicting your finals will go?

A. You will take the win of finishing them no matter how they actually go, if you’re being honest.

B. Probably decently - you’ve definitely worked hard enough.

C. They WILL go well, whether they want to or not.

D. You’re just aiming to pass…

Check Your Answers Below To See What You Got!

Study Abroad Interview with Aidan Rose Devlin ‘26 and Carolyn Thompson ‘25

What interests and excites you about studying abroad?

AR: I’ve always loved to travel, and being given the opportunity to both travel and pursue my studies simultaneously is something that I look forward to here at Davidson. Immersing myself in a culture different from my own is something I feel is important to understanding others and the world as a whole. I am beyond excited to spend my summer in Amman, Jordan, strengthening my Arabic skills and deepening my understanding of Arab culture. I am lucky enough to be going with my friends and I look forward to the new people I am going to meet during my abroad experience.

Carolyn: I’m very outgoing and greatly enjoy travel and new experiences. I’m especially excited to get to live with a mix of American students from all over the country and Danish students while studying in Copenhagen.

How did you learn and decide on your location and program?

AR: The program I will be attending this summer, Qasid Arabic Institute, is a highly regarded program by the Arab Studies Department at Davidson. During the beginning of my first semester, my Arabic professor encouraged our class to consider applying to study abroad for Qasid’s summer term. I spoke with many upperclassmen and other Arab Studies majors/minors about the program, and I have only heard amazing things about their experiences in Amman. I want to study abroad throughout my time at Davidson and I found that this would be a great opportunity to gain proficiency in my Arabic and experience studying abroad early.

Carolyn: I learned about the DIS Copenhagen program through my freshman roommate. Her sister graduated from Davidson in 2021 and had participated in the program during her time at Davidson. As a psychology major and neuroscience minor, the classes available to me in the DIS program fit my interests better than any other Davidson affiliated program.

Have you talked to other students about their experiences abroad? What have you heard and learned?

AR: I spoke with many Arab Studies students about their experiences at Qasid. Although Covid affected many students’ experiences traveling abroad, I have heard amazing things about Qasid and the students’ experiences in Jordan. I’ve heard that the program is very rewarding as students’ Arabic skills are notably stronger at the end of the program. Students have told me that they are given lots of free time outside of classes to explore the city of Amman on their own, and can even travel to outside countries. Hearing this is especially exciting to me because not only will I be taking classes and focusing on my academics, but I will be able to explore Jordan and surrounding areas.

Carolyn: I spent a lot of time speaking with my big about her experience abroad in Paris, both while she was there and after she returned. She encouraged me to take advantage of my opportunities to travel and see friends in different European locations during my time abroad. She also encouraged me to branch out and connect with other Davidson students in my location who I may never have gotten the opportunity to hang out with previously on campus.

Anything else you want other students to know about the process of applying?

AR: I think reaching out to upperclassmen who had previously gone abroad is very helpful because they are able to offer personal insight into the abroad experience. Going to the study abroad office is also helpful, but I found that talking to upperclassmen was the most helpful thing for me.

Carolyn: Start early and apply to more than one program! If I could go back in time, I would complete all of my applications before Christmas so that I could have a definite decision on my acceptance status before the new year.