by Anouk Shin’26
Winter break is just around the corner, less than a month after the week and a half long Thanksgiving break. Preceding it is a week of assessments, due dates, and an overall hectic schedule.
St. Markers will be visiting family and friends all over the fifty states for Winter Break, staying in Rhode Island, California, Georgia, Connecticut, New York, Minnesota, and Virginia–to name just a few. International students will be going overseas to their home countries, or staying with host families. Nevertheless, it seems as though home is a very common destination for winter break, and a destination much preferred over school. Ivy Song ‘26 says, “It’s Christmas and New Year– I don’t want to spend it in school.”
However, winter break is a slightly controversial topic among St. Markers. Most express that winter break is “necessary,” especially due to assessment week and the fact that Christmas (for those who celebrate it) as well as New Year’s day both happen over the break. Others, however, believe it to be a “hassle,” and international students in particular have trouble finding plane tickets or places to stay with the awkwardly placed, intermittent Winter and Thanksgiving breaks. Consequently, international students, although agreeing with the notion of winter break, wish that it were combined with Thanksgiving Break.
Still other students think that Winter Break is not necessary at all–just a nice way to come together with family in the holiday spirit. As Max Wang ‘26 states, “Winter break is not needed, but students like it.” My opinion on winter break leans towards this sentiment. I feel as though it would be best for all students if winter break were “optional” and did not require a move out of campus, in a similar fashion to Family Weekend. While some students may choose to visit their families, others who do not prefer to move out would be able to stay in the dorms with their friends instead, with weekend activities available.
Whether you think that winter break is necessary or not, I hope all St. Markers get through the chaotic weeks with rest to look forward to!