The words “spring break” often bring to mind images of college students relaxing at the beach and drinking the nights away. Spring break may always live with infamous expectations of poor decisions, but in reality, many students look forward to sleeping in and hanging out with the family dog.
Whatever students choose to do, one thing seems a given. Spring break means a week without school ... or does it? While many Salisbury University students will be taking some time off to relax and visit friends and family, they will also be spending a significant amount of next week studying and completing class assignments, and they aren’t happy about it.
“I honestly don’t think it’s fair. It’s in the word. Spring break is a break from college. I feel like there should be minimal work if any during spring break,” freshman marketing major Kavish Shah said.
While many students are on the same page as Shah, others are taking a more accepting approach, acknowledging that some upper-level courses encompass complex curricula in which there is simply too much material to cover in the 14-week semester.
Professors just can’t afford to take a whole week off. However, these students still aren’t excited about the prospect of studying or doing school work over break.
“It is upsetting. It really is. I get it, but it’s upsetting,” said senior elementary education major Rachel Bakewell.
Bakewell will be spending her break working at her teaching internship, which goes toward class credit. In essence, she won’t be getting much of a break at all.
Like Rachel, many other students will be completing course work for their classes that their professors have assigned over break. Other professors don’t explicitly assign work, but plan on giving exams within the first couple of days that classes are back in session. Some feel that this puts students in an unfair position, since motivation to study is often at an all-time low during break.
“I think it depends on the class ... If you have to write a whole paper over break, I think that’s not a fair assessment of a student’s abilities because they’re really not going to want to do that,” junior secondary education major Chiara Benato argued.
Homework aside, several SU students reported looking forward to spending at least some time pursuing more therapeutic endeavors. Some are counting the minutes until they reunite with a long-distance boyfriend or girlfriend. Others can’t wait to spend time with their families and various pets.
Students planning more traditional spring break vacations are hoping for sunshine and high temperatures.
For those choosing to travel, Florida is among the most popular destinations for Salisbury students. Welcoming warmer weather and opportunities to sit in a beach chair, the Sea Gulls will be well represented across the state this spring break.
Additionally, SU partners with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to offer alternative spring break opportunities. Senior biology major Kayla McCleery will be heading to New Orleans, along with students representing 36 other schools and organizations, to build homes and help reform communities.
Regardless of student plans, classes will cease for the week beginning on March 25, and will resume April 1.
By AMELIA TROTTER
Staff writer
Featured photo: Amy Wojtowicz graphic.