The Student Paper’s Christmas Quiz: Which Campus Character are You?

Graphics / Margrét Aðalheiður Önnu Þorgeirsdóttir

Translation: Julie Summers

With the Christmas holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get yourself in the mood for the season of light and peace - even though it will look a bit different this year. Normally, we gather for holiday parties, go to Christmas concerts, and even take trips to cozy cabins, but even though those things are off the table this year, there’s still plenty to do.

 But right now, take a moment and imagine that everything is normal and you’re getting into the Christmas spirit. Read through the following scenarios and choose the option that best applies to you for each one. Your answers will tell you which campus character you’re most like.

First Sunday of Advent:

Classes have finally come to an end for the semester, and final exams will soon be upon us. Since you’re such an organized student, you’ve already begun preparing for exams, and you’re planning to take a deep dive into your textbooks today. To help you get into your study groove, you’re listening to a Christmas playlist, starting with your favorite Christmas song. What is it?

A: A Faroese Christmas song

B: I’ll Be Home for Christmas

C: Jólakötturinn (The Christmas Cat)

D: Silent Night

December 1st:

It’s time. December is here, meaning it’s finally socially acceptable to watch Christmas movies. There’s no shortage of options, but the first Christmas movie of the year sets the tone for the season. Which movie do you put on?

A: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

B: It’s a Wonderful Life

C: Christmas with the Kranks

D: Love Actually

Second Sunday of Advent:

There’s plenty of time until your next exam, so you decide to take a day off from studying and finish your Christmas shopping; after all, it’s better to get it done now than to wait until the last minute. But downtown is packed with people, and you need to get away from the throngs and relax a bit. You duck into the next café and, being in a Christmassy mood, order a Christmas beverage. What do you choose?

A: Malt og appelsín (malt and orange soda)

B: A festive holiday coffee drink

C: Milk

D: Hot chocolate with whipped cream

Winter exams:

You’ve done a great job of eating healthy while studying for exams. You’ve probably eaten one or two boxes of mandarins, but as good as they are, you’re craving a sweet treat. There’s no better study snack than Christmas cookies, so you decide to whip up a batch of your favorite kind. What do you bake?

A: Sarah Bernhardt cookies

B: Chocolate licorice meringues

C: Chocolate thumbprint cookies

D: Nothing - you get cookies from your mom

Third Sunday of Advent:

Christmas is getting closer by the day, but when you look around, your home doesn’t feel very Christmassy. You decide it’s time to find your stash of Christmas decorations. You brush the dust off a box and open it to find your must-have Christmas decoration. What is it?

A: A ceramic music box shaped like Santa in a bathtub

B: A bunch of string lights

C: Crepe paper garlands

D: An Advent candle holder and candles

End of winter exams:

 Exams are finally over. You’ve been under a lot of pressure for weeks, so it’s time to pamper yourself over winter break. You’re planning on wearing the same outfit as last Christmas, because it’s fantastic and still fits, but you want to give yourself a little end-of-exams present and freshen up your look a bit. While strolling through the mall, you come up with the idea of buying a new accessory to go with your outfit. What do you buy?

A: A bright red knitted vest

B: Christmas PJs instead of an accessory

C: A red and white hat

D: A red tie

St. Thorlakur’s Day (Þórláksmessa, Dec. 23):

 The wait is almost over. Christmas Eve is tomorrow, and you’re winding your way through downtown Reykjavík in search of a few last-minute gifts. By the evening, the only thing left on your list is to find an almond present, a small gift for whoever finds the almond hidden in the Christmas dessert. What do you choose?

A: A jigsaw puzzle

B: A gift card for some experience or activity

C: Yarn

D: A Blu-ray movie

Christmas Eve:

There are just a few minutes left until the clock strikes six, marking the official start of Christmas in Iceland. You’ve taken a shower and scrubbed the floor and toiled away in the kitchen cooking the main dish and most important sides. The guests have taken their seats at the table, and the candles have been lit. Finally, you carry the main course to the table and invite your guests to start eating. What’s for dinner?

A: Ptarmigan

B: Vegan nut loaf

C: Fish

D: Smoked rack of pork

Christmas Day:

Finally, inner peace. Christmas Day is here, and you wake up after a refreshing night’s sleep wanting to stay in relaxation mode. You decide to pick up the book you got for Christmas, sit on the sofa, and start reading. What’s the book?

A: A lengthy book about the university’s history

B: The latest title from your favorite crime writer

C: The Cat in the Hat

D: A political biography

Boxing Day:

After two days of celebrating and eating like a champ, it’s a good idea (and even a necessity) to hit the reset button by having a little game night with your nearest and dearest. Those hours of togetherness are the most memorable part of the holidays, but choosing a game can be difficult. Which board game do you choose?

A: An old version of Trivial Pursuit

B: Scrabble

C: Chutes and Ladders

D: None – you reach for a deck of cards instead

Tally up your answers and see which letter you selected the most. Then scroll down to find out which campus character you are!

Mostly A: You’re Óttarr Proppé

Óttarr, manager of the student bookstore, is both half-bald and long-haired, combining flashy affectation and philosophical musings. Óttarr has quite a lot of Christmas spirit, but not nearly as much as his alter-ego, The Professor, who’s the biggest Christmas fan of all time.

Mostly B: You’re Isabel Alejandra Diaz

Isabel is a 24-year-old political scientist and president of the Student Council. Although she lives in Kópavogur, she’s still a Westfjords girl through and through. Isabel is passionate about improving students’ lives and loves Latin music. For her, there’s nothing better than spending quality time with a good group of friends.

Mostly C: You’re Rector Rósalind

Rósalind has a youthful spirit and enjoys wandering around campus. Independent and adventurous, Rósalind is no copycat. Just like her, you have a tendency to be a bit spontaneous and go in unexpected directions when it comes to celebrating the holidays. Rósalind’s favorite holiday character is the Christmas Cat, but thankfully, she won’t eat you if you don’t get new clothes for Christmas! 

Mostly D: You’re Jón Atli Benediktsson

Jón Atli is the rector of UI and has worked at the university since 1991. He’s also a professor in the electrical and computer engineering department and president of the Aurora Universities Network. Jón Atli clings to tradition. Christmas at his house is quite traditional and in the spirit of the good old days, as you can see from his answers.