I remember one year ago today, I was desperate to fly home for spring break. By early March 2020, it had been the longest I have ever been at school without returning home for a break. I became burnt out from work, was getting easily irritated with my friends, and had one too many spinach wraps from the student union. I was ready for a week-long break in my own bed where I could take a shower without flip-flops. But when I said I wanted to go home, I did not mean for six months and come back to school knee deep in a global pandemic.
However, while so much in our world and my personal life has changed so much, one year later I find myself back in the same spot I was last year. I am becoming restless for a break but there is barely one of the horizon. At Denison, along with many other universities, there are sporadic “wellness days” throughout the semester in order to keep the students, faculty, and staff on campus safe while still receiving a break. While this may seem like a perfect solution, the amount of wellness days are not aligning with the amount of spring break days. In addition, the infrequency of break days do not allow for a full time of rest. While many are excited for the small two-day break we have in the middle of the week, I have noticed many are still unsatisfied with wellness days.
Through the difficulty of school, socializing, and living through this pandemic, I do not think that a two-day break in the middle of the week could provide a full mental health break that is needed for some students. While I do hope everyone makes the most of the time they have off, it is important to take additional breaks when needed. I also think it is important for colleges to fully recognize students’ needs, especially ones who do not provide wellness days at all.