Exams are an incredibly stressful time for medical students. Many of us go without adequate sleep for days, poor nutrition and of course the natural toll stress takes on our bodies. During our assessment week we have no other scheduled required events for this very reason. For many the afternoon of the exam is not just a time to relax but the time to take care of vital health needs so we can enter the next block with adequate rest.

Furthermore, with this level of stress, especially directly after completing a 3 hour exam, there is no doubt we as a class are not at our best. While this is a relaxed presentation this is still our opportunity to show off all the hard work we did over the summer. To ask us to give our presentations in this state is to ask us not to put out best foot forward, letting down ourselves, our mentors, and the perception of the entire class of 2020.

This poster presentation should be an opportunity, both for the students and the entire College of Medicine, not a burden.

While we certainly respect as a class the difficulty of scheduling such an event, we ask that further efforts are made to finding a date that works for both the students and the administration so this event can continue to be upheld to the standards it has in the past.

Thank you,

The Class of 2020