Pros and cons of Spring/Easter Break

Combining spring break and Easter break great for some, not for others

TAYLER REVIERE VERNINAS
ASST. OPINION EDITOR

ASST. OPINION EDITOR

The countdown for spring break has officially begun and many students have been crossing off the days in their calendars until they no longer have to go to class.  Well, for a straight week, at least.
Many students complain about the University of San Diego’s decision to combine spring break with Easter break this year, calling it Spring/Easter Break, although it has been policy for the past few years to alternate each year between separate breaks and the combined break.  Still, it stings a little bit to watch the vacationers enjoying their breaks on the beach while we drive past them on our way to class.
Especially in the peak of midterms, anger towards USD for not having the typical spring break reaches a new high when we are surrounded by rambunctious students of other universities partying all over our stomping grounds.
When experiencing the feelings of resentment and annoyance that follow, it is important to remember that we already reside in the beautiful city of San Diego where many people spend spring break, so our spring break is pretty much a year-round occurrence anyways.
In years past, the university  has set aside a week-long spring break for students and a five-day break for the Easter holiday.   However, some years it appears that spring break and Easter break get combined into one holiday.
This year, it appears to be convenient for USD scheduling officials to kill two birds with one stone.
Although most universities do not alternate between the separate and combined Easter and spring breaks, there are pros and cons to this system.  One con, in particular, is the long stretch of time between winter break and Easter break.
Senior, Molly Gartland, who has experienced both types of spring breaks comments about this year’s shorter break.
“I can understand why it is combined with Easter being so early, but it would be nice to have a few extra days off here and there to compensate for the shorter break,” Gartland said.
Another con is the difficulty of planning trips with family or friends from other schools, as our spring break does not align with most schools’ anymore.
This takes away the excitement of meeting new kids from other schools at popular spring break destinations, as most schools are cleared out of these spots by the time USD students arrive.
Not all students have a problem with this revised Spring/Easter Break, however.
For freshman Grant Gilbreth, the one week spring break makes no difference to him.
“I feel as if one week keeps me in the mentality of my schoolwork; if we had two weeks for break, it might make people trail away from their studies,” Gilbreth said.  “It would be nice to take the time for Easter to celebrate and enjoy the holiday for what it is meant to be. However, the schedule is what is and I am happy with the one week vacation.”
Even professors find benefits in the combined, later break.  Professor Lark Diaz appreciates this year’s timing for spring break.
“I like where the break has fallen because I have already finished grading my midterms,” Diaz said.
“In the past years I have always spent my entire break grading midterms and thankfully I have not had to do that this year since Easter is later in the season,” Diaz said.
“I also enjoy the nice smooth rhythm of the break, however, I am so ready for spring break to happen,” Diaz said.
Spring break 2015 seems to also be an advantage for those students who live in a different state or country, as it gives them more time to travel home and back for the holiday.
Sophomore Angela Hessenius is grateful for the combined spring break because it gives her more travel time.
“I am from Connecticut so it is helpful that this year’s break is longer, since I am able to go home as opposed to Thanksgiving break which is shorter,” Hessenius said. “It is nice because this year I am able to go back home for Easter since I was not able to last year.”
Personally, I would not mind having two separate spring break vacations since I only live about two hours north of San Diego.  Extra time to spend with family and friends would be ideal, however, not every student lives so close to school.
Attending a private Catholic school my entire life, the reasons for the break being centered around the Easter holiday are understandable.  It is a bit of an adjustment for those accustomed to two-week spring breaks, hence the disappointment in combining the two breaks.
However, when we study in a city where everyone else vacations, our one-week vacation back home will make us want to return to the spring break destination we live in year-round.