With winter holidays having come and passed, the snow starting to melt and temperatures climbing back up again, students are becoming antsy for some time away from school. A week-long break at the end of March feels like it can’t come soon enough. But as the second semester is ramping up, it’s worth asking: is this truly the best time to pull students away from their studies?
Spring break has historically been set at the end of March through the first few days of April, marking the end of the third quarter and serving as students’ final long break before summer. It’s a highly anticipated week filled with travel, sleeping in or simply a much-needed pause in students’ school routines. However, these aren’t the only benefits that spring break has to offer.
A break from school, especially before AP and final exam preparation truly begins, can be incredibly beneficial for student mental health. According to psychotherapist Nicole Ivelevitch, having a spring break can “significantly improve mental health” for students by “reducing stress, boosting creativity and enhancing overall happiness.” This reset is essential for so many students, allowing them to return to school with increased focus and a more productive mindset.
This break also benefits students’ physical health. Chronic stress and sleep deprivation, both of which are common amongst high schoolers, can take a toll on the body. A week sans the pressures of project deadlines and extracurriculars can help students recover from months of stress and fatigue.
While spring break offers many mental, emotional and physical benefits for students, its position on the calendar also presents challenges. With AP exams coming up in early May and final exams not far behind, April can be one of the most academically stressful months of the year. Losing a full week of instructional time during this period can disrupt the momentum of teachers and students alike.
While studying over break is possible, it’s not the same as the instruction received in class. Students may forget material, fall out of routine or struggle to focus when they’re outside of a classroom environment. And upon the return from break, teachers often find themselves reteaching lessons and spending lecture time catching their students up to speed.
For all the benefits offered by spring break, a week where students don’t think about their schoolwork may end up causing more stress than it relieves. However, there are steps that can be taken to maximize your time off that allow you to keep up with your courses and take care of your mental and physical wellbeing at the same time.
First, make sure to get out in nature. This is proven to not only improve mental health, but being active out and about can improve physical health as well. As explained by the American Psychological Association, “Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.” From hiking to swimming to simply gardening, physical activity in a natural environment is proven to boost both mental and physical productivity.
Second, incorporate some studying into your vacation routine. Whether that be before bed, during lulls when visiting friends or family or whenever else works for you, reviewing a little bit of your learning material every day can lighten the load of material you need to re-learn upon returning to school.
Lastly, make sure to get the much-needed rest you need. While many teens see a week-long break as an opportunity to have fun and stay up as late as they want, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep every night.
When all is said and done, there’s not a lot you can do to change when spring break will happen. However, what you can change are your habits to ensure you don’t fall behind, get the rest your brain and body need and use the time off that you’re given to its fullest potential.
