Holiday Breaks for PSEO

December 1, 2009

As everyone returns from the Thanksgiving break, some of us can’t help but wonder, could I have made that last any longer?  For example, some PSEO students may ask themselves if the high school scheduled more days off for Thanksgiving, while some high school students may question if their PSEO counterparts didn’t attend school due to cancelled classes.  There are advantages to both schedules.

 In high school days off from school are scattered throughout the year.  End of quarter, teacher workshop days, and MEA break are all good examples of this.  These periodic breaks act as a nice release from the constant monotony of classes and a relief from stress caused by school deadlines.  They also may be used as a way to catch up, an extra day or two free of classes that can be devoted to a project you just didn’t have the time to complete between all the other homework.  However, for some, sleeping in just one extra day isn’t enough, they would prefer their days off of school grouped together, allowing them to take trips without missing school.  So while scattered breaks from school may prove beneficial to some, others may dislike receiving their relief from school one day at a time.

 In PSEO your schedule and days off depend upon your professors and teaching assistants.  Small breaks like MEA or teacher workshop days do not occur, in fact, the first official break the University of Minnesota experienced was Thanksgiving.  An individual may gain a few hours of free time if their professor or TA is sick and cancels the class, but usually the rest of their classes are right on schedule.  However, Thanksgiving break worked out a little differently than in the high school.  The number of days an individual had off depended on the classes they were taking.  For example, my writing teacher cancelled class the whole week of Thanksgiving, while my math professor decided to hold lecture as planned on the day before the holiday.  Most professors and TA’s were lenient about their classes around the holiday.  A majority cancelled their classes or announced that attendance (if your grade depends upon attendance) would not be taken, or if they were holding class they posted their notes online for non-attending students to view.  Breaks in PSEO are different than the high school, rather than being spread out throughout the year, college days off are condensed into long vacations.  These long spans of no school are ideal for taking trips and returning home, but they do not allow for the occasional three day weekend.

Days off from school vary from high school to PSEO however the number of days received are about the same.  Although the breaks are organized differently each system is tailored for the environment.  The high school is scheduled to give students smaller, more frequent breaks to minimize stress and allow students an extra day to catch up or relax.  College breaks are organized into fewer, larger blocks to allow students more time to return home to visit family.  Although at times the timing and length of breaks may cause a touch of envy in both parties, it is good to know that they are scheduled specifically for your school environment and your life.

PSEO tip: bring your lunch.  Paying for lunch can be expensive, especially if you stay within the convenience of the student union.  Although the smells wafting up from the first floor may be appealing, resist and learn to pack your lunch every day.  If you bring a lunch from home you can treat yourself to a slice of pizza or a Panda Bowl after a long exam or turning in a paper you worked really hard on.  Or you can reward the effort you put in studying for an exam and quell your nerves by getting a bagel or Starbucks before a large test.  Bring lunch from home, it will save you money and allow you to treat yourself when it really matters.

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