Winter break: for most, it is time for family, fun, relaxation and even some productivity. It is not only desirable, but essential to the wellbeing of the student body, as it allows us to have opportunities many other people our age don’t get and do things we wouldn’t have time for otherwise. With a break as long as six weeks, how could one not put it to good use? It’s one of the many perks of attending DU.
For starters, one of families’ biggest complaints is that students don’t have enough time for Thanksgiving. With the six week break that problem is eliminated. With the quarter system, there’s no sacrifice either. There is not much else the school could do with those additional two weeks that would be more productive, so we may as well be home with our loved ones, as we want as much time with them as we could possibly get.
Having the extended time also makes sense because, unlike DU students, the average out-of-state student has to fly home for the few days they have off for Thanksgiving, then go back to school for finals only to come home again two weeks later for winter break. With DU’s break, students are spending less money on flights to come home while also wasting less of their time.
To not have those two weeks seems like it would be extremely stressful on students as well, because Thanksgiving is usually right before finals. The students are stressed out because they have to go back to school for two weeks to study and take their tests. They are worried throughout Thanksgiving.
DU students, on the other hand, have completed their finals and are worry-free for six blissful weeks. We are able to be present for the holidays in every possible way, with no distractions from school before they start.
A six-week break also allows students to build their resumes, as they are often able to get internships that they may not necessarily have time for during the quarter.
It is also a good time to earn some extra money, as there are jobs offered at this time due to it being peak holiday shopping season. By having six weeks, as opposed to the typical two or three, DU students have a better chance of being picked for these positions because we have more time to dedicate.
Other students have too short a break to be putting this kind of time in. Other than just internship and job opportunities, students are able to get more credits through DU’s interim courses. This provides opportunities for travel as well, which helps expose students to other ways of life and different cultures.
Students can also engage in community service during this period. Either way, winter break activities look good on paper and give students a new perspective.
Aside from just working and building resumes, it’s okay to just take some time to unwind. We are college students and we work hard. It’s healthy to have some time off to recharge and really reflect on what matters in life. A lot of us are also not from places that are nearby; we don’t see our family a lot anymore, and when we do it’s not always for long. The six week break allows students time to reconnect with family, values and old friends. There is nothing wrong with some quality time.
In addition to helping students on an individual level, DU’s long winter break is beneficial to the entire DU community. We all come back happy, refreshed and ready to work hard again.
