DU’s unique quarter system has always provided students with a considerably longer winter break than many other schools. Whether they returned home, stayed near campus or traveled elsewhere, students have taken advantage of the long break to work jobs and internships, go hiking and skiing or attend to other academic, professional or personal pursuits.
Many aspects of the DU experience have been altered to comply with COVID-19 protocols in order to provide everyone with a safe in-person learning environment. However, the long winter break remains, leaving many wondering how they are going to spend their time.
The initial months of the pandemic rocked the economy to its core, hitting young workers disproportionately hard. As the country faces a massive new wave of cases, many are beginning to expect additional restrictions and, in turn, an economic downturn in the coming months. Students face uncertainty over their travel plans and whether or not they will be able to work over break.
Many DU students live far from campus. Traveling to and from school normally presents its own logistical challenges. This year, students are additionally being asked to quarantine, test and travel safely while avoiding exposure to or spreading COVID-19. Fears of bringing the virus home to older or more vulnerable family members back home are widespread.
In addition to concerns over safely traveling home, a lot of students are scrambling to figure out how, or even if, they are going to be able to work over break. Grant Conner, a junior at DU, explained how he has “been applying to all sorts of jobs” all over the Denver area, hoping to find a way to make some money before the start of winter quarter. Although he searches Indeed for job openings, he is also struggling to find businesses near campus that are hiring. Businesses continue to offer limited capacity and hours, as municipal and state governments frantically try to contain COVID-19 outbreaks.
Some students had their employment or internship plans changed due to employers struggling to keep their doors open. Kaelan Dublin, a junior at DU, says he is planning on traveling home for winter break. Fortunately, he is able to continue his on-campus job remotely, an option made available for many student workers throughout this quarter.
Aside from work, DU’s unique schedule offers students a large span of time to travel, explore the outdoors and pursue other activities. This winter, many of the ski mountains that DU students frequent will be limiting the number of guests on the slopes and requiring reservations made in advance, potentially hampering some students’ plans to spend winter break on the slopes.
The entire country is struggling to combat the coronavirus pandemic, and students are left wondering how they are going to spend their time this winter break. The combination of worries over traveling home and uncertainty over employment has many students on edge as the fall quarter comes to an end.
