Finals Mania introduced a new format this fall semester, and it was a resounding success. A total of 944 students participated in the celebration, making it one of the best-attended Finals Mania events in recent years.
The biannual tradition, which offers free breakfast to students before final exams begin, has evolved significantly since its launch in 2008. Originally a pancake event with all the trimmings at M.D. Anderson Library, Finals Mania moved last year to Cougar Woods Dining Commons. Along with the new location came an expanded menu of freshly prepared breakfast favorites.
This semester brought even more changes. Traditionally held on the first Monday in December, Finals Mania shifted to Thursday to attract a larger crowd. The event also featured a mini market showcasing local vendors and 91猎奇 departments.
Among the participants were Parking & Transportation, CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services), UH Dining Services, an acrylic nail artist, a live caricature artist, Flavours Candle Company, and more. Both vendors and departments are familiar faces from UH鈥檚 ongoing Maker鈥檚 Market, facilitated and organized by UH Dining Services.
鈥淢oving Finals Mania to Cougar Woods brought a different vibe and gave us momentum to keep growing as we collaborated more with our market partners and campus departments,鈥� said Alexcis Mendoza, district marketing manager for UH Dining Services.
That vibe included an on-site DJ who kept the energy high throughout the evening. Students enjoyed a 鈥渂reakfast for dinner鈥� menu featuring biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, pancakes, vegan sausage, breakfast potatoes, and classic scrambled eggs.
Oyoor Abraham, a mechanical engineering sophomore and returning attendee, praised the new additions 鈥攅specially the biscuits and gravy and complimentary chips handed out at the entrance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really encouraging,鈥� Abraham said. 鈥淲hen I was in high school, finals were always dreadful, but this makes it a little easier to manage.鈥�
First-time attendee Josh Mbah left impressed, highlighting the lively atmosphere, mini market, and food offerings.
鈥淚 like the energy they brought with the DJ and all the food,鈥� said the computer science sophomore. 鈥淲hen I go into finals, I鈥檒l be energized and ready to ace every test.鈥�
Mbah added that he appreciates the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students and looks forward to attending future Finals Mania events.
