STAFFER OPINIONS

NEWSROOM

STAFF MEMBER DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAKS

180 days of school. In comparison to the entire 365 days of the year, it may not seem like it is really that much. Every year, it seems that we have the same arguments over and over again; should we change the school schedule? Should breaks be longer and summer shorter? Do we need more breaks? Less breaks? Teachers, parents, and students all have varying opinions on it. However debated this is, there is not necessarily a correct answer. What many people are not considering though, is that every weekend is a break, and that there should at least be somewhat of a “break” every day, which is what many students should be putting more emphasis on. Student stress rates in 2020 are higher than ever before. An average amount of stress is normal and, in some cases, can be motivational, but when students, kids and young adults, never get a break from it for more than a day, it becomes unhealthy and overwhelming. An everyday routine of waking up, school, jobs or sports, homework, and then sleep without a break is too much for every day, and this years’ circumstances have only increased it. As we all know, 2020 has impacted everyone’s lives differently, and virtual school has been very difficult for many students. Many teachers, also unaccustomed to the new block scheduling, have taken to giving heavier loads of homework under the impression that students now have more time to complete it. This, along with an increased difficulty on the subjects of trying to learn from home, have led to many of us being overwhelmed. I know from personal experience that often times I have had to sacrifice sleep, free time, and my social life for work. When asked, many of my friends have agreed to this statement. And while school comes before pleasantries, it should not be all-consuming. There needs to be a time period each day where students can put away the screens and move from their desks, and this time should be prioritized by students. Taking a physical and mental break from school once a day and on the weekends is extremely important to someone’s health, both their physical and mental. Physical and mental health play off of each other and influence the other, and if one is suffering, the other will begin to feel it as well. Staring at a computer for 6.5 hours a day, only to return to it to complete multiple hours of homework isn’t good for the brain or the body. A break from the screens and stress does not always have to be an event either. It could be as simple as taking a few minutes to listen to music you enjoy and take a shower. Or maybe taking the time to make yourself a nice dinner. If you’re really feeling crazy, you could go and take a walk outside. We all just need to take a moment and relax and allow ourselves a moment to breathe outside of all of our worries. Luckily, we have our spring break coming up that will allow us many of these blissful moments. But as we return to school for this next semester, whatever it may bring us, we should all remember to take a break sometimes. Because in the end, we are all still kids with our whole life ahead of us, and we need to take the time to find joy in that and not allow the stress to consume us. Opinion Piece by Heidi Schlabach

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