OUR VIEW: USU needs a Fall Break

Many other universities – nation and statewide – offer students a Fall Break to help them cope with the monotony and stresses of the rigors of class and homework. USU should do the same.

The burn-out rate seems to be much higher among students during Fall Semester in comparison to Spring Semester. Although Thanksgiving Break gives the much-needed mini vacation from class and stress, the stretch from Labor Day to Nov. 24 is daunting at best.

The demands of class and work compound stress throughout the semester that could easily be alleviated by even one day free of class. Instituting a Fall Break would greatly help the psychological status of students on campus. The ability to break up the semester and workload by a few days off allows students the capability to cope with the pressure of school by offering the saving grace of a three-day weekend as a reward for studying. Simply put, students are tired.

The acknowledgment of the enormous impact a break in the middle of a semester adds to students’ morale can be seen by the display of enthusiasm and rejuvenation students radiate post Spring Break. Spring Break offers the sanctuary away from class and work to benefit not only the students, but the faculty and staff as well.

As nice as it would be to have a lengthy break similar to Spring Break during the fall semester, making up those days would not be ideal. However, offering a one or two day vacation from class halfway through Fall Semester would help maintain student sanity and enthusiasm for class.