Winter break is the perfect time for students and teachers to relax, travel and enjoy time with family. School can be stressful for many, so having a winter break is essential for everyone’s well-being. The new year offers a fresh start, so it is crucial to have time to take care of ourselves and our loved ones as we prepare for the new year. Without a break, students are more likely to get burnt out. Winter break is not just a break from class, but also a chance for students to care for their mental health and well-being.
Winter break also aligns well with the holiday season. Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years and sometimes Hanukkah all take place over the break. Park is religiously diverse, which the school takes pride in. Providing plenty of time for students to celebrate holidays is something that Park should strive for. Most holidays mean spending time with family and bringing people together. Even for those who may not be religious, having time to take a break from school is super important. The break offers students time to catch up on work and take a break from the homework schedule. Having time to focus on things other than school relieves a lot of stress and offers time to do other things that make us happy: hanging out with friends, reading, sports, cooking and much more.
This year’s winter break felt especially short, and 11 days did not suffice for most students. Shorter breaks can make the semester feel a lot longer, especially because we have a break a month before finals. Park should adjust the school year schedule to have the first semester end before break, meaning finals would be the week before break. This would give students even more of a mental break from school because we would be wrapping up the semester and homework would not be something students would have to worry about. This would also allow for a smoother transition into a new semester, as opposed to the first week in February.
Winter break should be at least two weeks. Some schools began their break earlier, and others end later. If Park were to add a week to the break, it should be placed after New Year’s. For many, a break can be a great time to travel. It is common for people to stay home to celebrate the holidays and then leave for a trip afterward. Putting an extra week after New Year would maximize the amount of time people had to travel. If the extra week were to be put before the holidays, trips would not be able to last as long because holiday traditions and festivities would be right in the middle of the break.
If Park wants students to succeed, it is important to give both students and teachers optimal time to take a break from school. Taking time for yourself, your family and friends is super important for mental health. Taking a break to celebrate the holidays, travel, spend time with loved ones, take a break from classes and relax has proven to be beneficial for everyone. Winter break can improve the mental and physical health of students, and it is important that Park recognizes that and provides an efficient amount of time for students and teachers to get the rest they need.
