Isabelle Sarraf
Writer '18
The long-awaited February break has finally arrived! No more seeing students walk lifelessly through the halls, glancing at the clock every five minutes, and yearning for that final bell of the day to ring. This is the vacation between midterms and April break, the one that students should probably use to catch up on their work but instead go on tropical vacations. So the question is, how should students truly be using this break to their advantage?
Most teachers or parents would say that students should be studying and preparing for SATs or for upcoming AP exams in May. However, students may share a different opinion that takes self-care in mind. Junior Rebecca Yaminian asks, “Is it really efficient to study endlessly, especially when [students] have the opportunity to regenerate our energy?”
Obviously this does not necessarily mean taking naps all day, sleeping in until noon, or wasting one’s week binge watching the newest Netflix original series. There are plenty of productive tasks students can do during the break that do not have to do with schoolwork. Yaminian adds, “Have fun! If that means exercising, finding a new hobby, going out with friends, or reading a new book, do it! Take advantage of this free time because you won’t ever get it back!”
On the other hand, there are some students who feel the need to be productive with regards to schoolwork, as they want to come back to school on Monday with a little boost instead of returning and lagging behind. Although most students would rather this break be entirely stress-free, it may be more worth it to stress a bit during the break instead of returning to school with a bundle of stress on their backs.
Yaminian says, “It depends on each student and how well he or she knows him or herself. It’s not that the break is putting stress on you, it’s actually you putting stress on yourself by not utilizing time by how you need it. No one else knows you like you know yourself, so it is up to you to make the right decisions for yourself.”
For juniors specifically, there is definitely the stress of the college process that many students would like to explore during this break. Junior Sandy Shaoolian says, “Visiting colleges and studying for standardized tests should be juniors’ number one priority right now.”
Instead of putting off the inevitable, go do some practice tests or book a college visit. Chances are, a student will end up ahead of the game, because there is no harm in starting the college process early. Taking advantage of each vacation can help every student get ahead.
Writer '18
The long-awaited February break has finally arrived! No more seeing students walk lifelessly through the halls, glancing at the clock every five minutes, and yearning for that final bell of the day to ring. This is the vacation between midterms and April break, the one that students should probably use to catch up on their work but instead go on tropical vacations. So the question is, how should students truly be using this break to their advantage?
Most teachers or parents would say that students should be studying and preparing for SATs or for upcoming AP exams in May. However, students may share a different opinion that takes self-care in mind. Junior Rebecca Yaminian asks, “Is it really efficient to study endlessly, especially when [students] have the opportunity to regenerate our energy?”
Obviously this does not necessarily mean taking naps all day, sleeping in until noon, or wasting one’s week binge watching the newest Netflix original series. There are plenty of productive tasks students can do during the break that do not have to do with schoolwork. Yaminian adds, “Have fun! If that means exercising, finding a new hobby, going out with friends, or reading a new book, do it! Take advantage of this free time because you won’t ever get it back!”
On the other hand, there are some students who feel the need to be productive with regards to schoolwork, as they want to come back to school on Monday with a little boost instead of returning and lagging behind. Although most students would rather this break be entirely stress-free, it may be more worth it to stress a bit during the break instead of returning to school with a bundle of stress on their backs.
Yaminian says, “It depends on each student and how well he or she knows him or herself. It’s not that the break is putting stress on you, it’s actually you putting stress on yourself by not utilizing time by how you need it. No one else knows you like you know yourself, so it is up to you to make the right decisions for yourself.”
For juniors specifically, there is definitely the stress of the college process that many students would like to explore during this break. Junior Sandy Shaoolian says, “Visiting colleges and studying for standardized tests should be juniors’ number one priority right now.”
Instead of putting off the inevitable, go do some practice tests or book a college visit. Chances are, a student will end up ahead of the game, because there is no harm in starting the college process early. Taking advantage of each vacation can help every student get ahead.