As a Southern University student, you’d think, Midterms are the week before homecoming, so after that, I can finally relax and enjoy the festivities, Right? That’s what the semester calendar says, but then a professor hits you with, “Since we didn’t finish this chapter, your midterm will be pushed to next week.” You pause; you process. Then it hits you, it’s homecoming week. The best week of any college campus. Why do we have to take midterms during homecoming week? Honestly, I’m just as confused as you are. Let me break down my thought process on that question.
Students rely on the semester calendar to plan their lives, study schedules, travel, work shifts, and yes, even fun. When professors shift major exams into homecoming week, it disrupts that structure and throws students off balance. We’re expected to follow the calendar, so why isn’t it a shared responsibility?
Let’s be real, most students are juggling 15+ credit hours, meaning multiple exams in a single week. Homecoming is supposed to be a time to unwind, celebrate, and network. That’s why it’s scheduled after midterms. Pushing exams into this week forces students to choose between academic success and campus connection. It’s not just inconvenient, it’s mentally exhausting.
Homecoming during fall break sounds ideal, but for many students, it’s anything but. Out-of-state students are torn between going home or staying to support SU. Some don’t have cars or can’t afford the trip, and now they’re missing out on both rest and celebration. On top of that, professors are assigning exams worth 20–50% of our grade during the most anticipated week of the semester. I understand the intent behind the scheduling, but the impact is more harmful than helpful.
Just imagine having a midterm, skipping events to study, and barely getting two days to recover before the homecoming game. Then it’s back to the grind for another 5–6 weeks. It’s exhausting, mentally draining, and frankly unfair. The semester calendar is supposed to be a shared structure. Students and faculty both rely on to plan, prepare, and protect our time. If homecoming is meant to be a celebration after midterms, then let it be that. Let us have our week to recharge, reconnect, and represent SU with pride. Because when the calendar stops calendaring, it’s not just confusing, it’s costly to our well-being.
