Reading Days, or Vaca?

When I was reviewing the UVA student calendar with my mother before I arrived here, she and I noticed the four "Reading Days" from October 9-12.  Now, maybe this was just me (and my mother) having a somewhat naive view of college and college student habits, but I was completely under the assumption that the reading days, for almost all students, would be spent here on grounds, either cooped up in their rooms or in various libraries cramming for this and that -- reading.

Boy was I wrong.

For starters, a hallmate of mine from London and I were the only two kids from my hall who remained in Charlottesville.  Even the kid from Los Angeles got out of here.  And on top of that, everyone who left came back with tales of "crazy nights," "chillin hard all day," and "bro-ing out" during their "reading days."  Is that what I was supposed to be doing this whole time?  Whoops.

Thanks for deeming them "Reading Days," UVA student calendar.  I could have been on my couch at home, enjoying mom-made meals and DVR'd movies for 96 straight hours.  Next year...