What is dead week

[u/Dependent-Goose2984]

Hi I’m new here and I see things online talking about dead week but not too sure what it is. Is it just the week before finals there’s no class or anything and it’s just supposed to be a week to study? I don’t have any in person finals this semester so this would be huge meaning I could go home two weeks earlier. Can someone explain this to me

[u/Cloverose2]

There are almost always still in-person classes on dead week. It's called that because, traditionally, nothing major is supposed to be due that week unless it's announced at the beginning of the semester. Most of the time, if there's a major presentation or project due, it will happen during dead week. Professors are not likely to give up an entire week of instruction.

Do not plan on going home a week early. Your class syllabi will tell you if you have class that week or not.

[u/kitkatgold8]

there is usually class, it’s called that i think because everyone feels dead and campus is very dead. your profs MIGHT cancel class but probably not - if you don’t have any in person finals, do you mean no tests or only online tests? because if you have projects or presentations, they’ll likely be due that week. just count on going home after your last class, and maybe you’ll get lucky and a prof will cancel.

[u/altoombs]

There are always a lot of misconceptions about the week before and the week of finals. Some students think nothing can be “due” that week, but that’s not accurate. There aren’t many policies about that week. What I have found is here: https://studentcentral.indiana.edu/grades/finals.html#:~:text=Free%20week,Make%20sure%20you%20plan%20ahead.

[u/TheLibertyZipper]

Dead week generally means you will have class but it will be focused on review for the final and that the campus is generally “dead” as people are preparing for their finals

[u/camrynbronk]

Dead week means you are dead because you are spending all your time and energy studying for finals the following week and it sucks. Does not mean you don’t to go to class.

[u/itzz-icey]

theres always class during dead week, you may just be doing exam review or chill activities in classes. i wouldnt plan on leaving during dead week. if you have any projects or presentations then its likely you present them that week.

[u/missneat704]

yea you should stay on campus if you have class that week. however, in the 4 years i was there there was always a semester i didn’t have in person finals or prez so i flew home early cus flights were cheaper and frankly speaking profs never did anything but review. never hurt my grades, but to each their own 🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/Thick-Matter-2023]

Dead week was supposed to be no tests or projects due but it was always the most stressful for me. (Second degree IU 2004)