Opinion: To Come Back, or Not to Come Back?

by Maritza Ortiz

To Come Back or Not to Come Back? That is the Question.

As we return from Thanksgiving break, a taste of what's to come in two weeks lingers throughout these final days of class here at Southwestern Adventist University. We students have to jump back into “academic mode” and face the inevitable stress of exams, papers, and deadlines. Today, I write about the controversy of returning to campus for these last two weeks before the longer winter break. This article will highlight both the pros and cons of this topic, along with some student opinions on the matter.

The Challenges of Returning After Thanksgiving

To begin I asked Isaac Raymond, a sophomore accounting major, whether he believed we should come back to school after Thanksgiving break. He stated, “No, it's too expensive to be coming back and forth for two weeks of classes and exams.” Raymond’s concern about the unnecessary travel costs for students who aren’t local is a valid one. Many students live far from campus and would rather stay home after Thanksgiving to avoid the cost and hassle of traveling long distances, especially when flights or fuel expenses can add up significantly.

Another downside to returning is the noticeable drop in student morale. After a few days of relaxation and family time, we come back to a whirlwind of stressful studying and final exams.

Personally, I have heard students complain about how hard it is to regain focus after the break and finding the motivation to show up to classes. Admittedly I too find myself contemplating whether to get up to go to class in the morning, especially when it's freezing outside.

Finally, some students pick up holiday shifts in their hometown during Thanksgiving break to help with financial challenges caused by the cost of higher education. However, when they return to campus, they risk losing these jobs, making it difficult to secure work again over the Christmas break. This creates additional financial strain as students rely on these jobs to pay off outstanding bills and loans.

The Benefits of Returning to Campus

However, not all students and faculty agree with the idea of skipping these last two weeks.

Freshman Nursing Major Princess Alcantara says, “I don't mind coming back if it means I keep a longer summer break.” Princess highlights a very important point that everyone should consider. If students were not to come back after Thanksgiving, those days wouldn't be removed from the school year as there is a requirement of days in a semester. This means these two weeks we come back after Thanksgiving would actually shift into the beginning of the semester cutting summer break short by two weeks. So the question here would be, “Do students want to keep their summer long or do they want a longer winter break?”

Personally, I do find that all of my school work is best done when in a structured environment like school. For students like me who thrive in structured environments, the campus setting provides the resources, quiet spaces, and access to professors they need to succeed. And after a week-long break of being away from studies it provides a sense of relief from all of the fatigue I had going into the vacation.

Now when I come back for exams, I have a much more relaxed state of mind to take on the stressful exams.

Possible Compromises

So, is there a middle ground? Just as I stated earlier some universities have implemented alternative academic calendars to address this issue. They start the semester earlier in August or shift finals to the week before Thanksgiving which eliminates the need to return after the holiday. While these changes would require logistical adjustments, they could alleviate some of the financial and mental strain students face.

Another option is offering more remote alternatives during this time. Hybrid learning has proven effective during the pandemic, and some students argue that remote finals or online classes in December would reduce the burden of returning to campus while maintaining academic integrity. Especially with technology like Turn-it In which checks for plagiarism and the video platform Zoom for proctored exams.

Wrapping It All Up

At the end of the day, this debate reflects the balancing act of ensuring academic excellence while also considering the well-being of students. So, whether you view these weeks as an unnecessary burden or a vital part of the semester, one thing is certain: we as students still have to take final exams. So, as we push through these final days, let’s remember to support one another and keep our eyes on the prize—a well-deserved winter break.