By Colin Ahern – Opinions Editor

Student Success Week has come and gone, leaving students who stay on campus for Halloween with school-organized events to keep themselves busy. This year, BUnited and the SRC organized events from Oct. 26 until Nov. 1. These events have sought to strike a balance between festive activities and scholastic activities in order to address the final weeks of the semester. 

On the 26th, BUnited hosted an evening for writing papers and reading effectively. This event was certainly well-timed, since it equips students with the necessary tools to write the essays that are due after the break. Frontloading the scholastic activities makes good use of the remainder of the break.

On the 27th, BUnited hosted a pumpkin painting night while CATS (Career and Transition Services) hosted a small seminar on the application process for graduate school. The pumpkin painting found itself rife with student talent as many wonderful pieces of art emerged from the evening of creation. 

On the 28th, BUnited held a spa night that followed the SRC’s trip to a corn maze. The progression of the week brought on more festive events, and these two events worked nicely together. For those who found themselves drained from a day of socialization and walking, a spa night with friends was waiting in the wings. The effective scheduling between these two organizations allowed for both events to be attended by the same people, offering variety and flexibility for all.

On the 29th, BUnited hosted a study workshop while a Halloween costume contest was hosted at the Gait. The study workshop found itself near the end of Student Success Week, thereby offering a smoother transition back into the school routine. For those who wanted a more social evening, the Gait’s Halloween costume contest was a nice way to begin the weekend of festivities.

On the 31st, a Halloween themed hike at Mont Pinacle was held. This continued the variety in events between activities with high and low socialization and drinking. Where the evening at the Gait was lively and more social, this hike was more focused on conventional Halloween elements.

On the 1st, Griffin House held a free pancake breakfast. While this event is always very popular for those who attend, attendance is often unknown until the day of the event due to a lack of advertising. 

On Nov. 3, a vigil was held to remember the message on the bridge in 2021. This will lead into a Take Back the Night march on Nov. 10 and the 12 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence. These will hopefully be the first of many events that continue to enact change in the culture and systems that tolerate sexual violence.

This year’s Student Success Week had many opportunities for students on-campus and off to socialize, study for, and recover from their midterms. Success Week, as a relatively new addition to the semester schedule, is proving to be important to campus culture.