By Theia Haller
Staff Writer
While some students spend fall break sleeping in, traveling, or hanging out with friends, others are still in school waiting for their next day off. Fall break gives students a chance to step away from their busy schedules and get ready for the rest of the semester. Although fall break may seem like just a few extra days off, it can make a difference in students’ academic success.
Taking a break from schoolwork can help students feel less stressed and clear their minds. They also have more time to get organized, make plans, and catch up on sleep. During the school week, students often stay up late finishing homework and studying for tests. A week off gives them time to rest and come back to school feeling more ready to learn.
Fall break also gives students more time to do things outside of school. Between homework, tests, and extracurricular activities, it can be hard to do everything. A week off allows students to spend time with friends and family, travel, or enjoy their favorite activities. One student shared, “It helps me reset for the upcoming quarter and do fun autumn activities because it’s my favorite season!!” Fall break gives students a chance to enjoy their favorite time of year while also getting a break from school.
Students at schools without fall break do not get the same time off during the semester. They have to finish turning in their assignments for the first quarter and then go straight into the next quarter with more work. This means students can go three to four months without a longer break after summer ends. Going so long without time off can make students tired and stressed to keep up with their schoolwork. One student explained, “I think fall break is beneficial because BASIS is an academically challenging school and to make sure kids aren’t as mentally exhausted there needs to be an additional break.” This shows why time away from school is important, especially at a school with challenging classes.
Every school should have a fall break because it can help students avoid burnout so early in the school year. It also gives them more time to study topics they might not have fully understood during the school week. Students can use the extra time to focus on sports, other extracurricular activities, and spending time with friends. Fall break is more than just time off. It gives students a chance to relax, catch up, and get ready for the rest of the school year.