By Rachel Konieczny
Staff Writer
St. Bonaventure administration gifted students and faculty with an extra week of Christmas break this year, and between holiday traditions, outdoor activities, and family time, it will not be wasted.
The break has been extended an additional week from last year. Students will return to campus for the first day of spring semester classes on Monday, Jan. 19.
Sophomore biology major Erin Izydorczak is excited for the break to begin, particularly to see her family.
“I’m most looking forward to spending time with my family,” Izydorczak said. “I didn’t have a break over the summer, so it’s nice to have a break and recharge.”
Izydorczak studied at Bonaventure over the summer, and when she did come home on weekends, working filled up her time.
Sophomore psychology major Travis Barber is also looking forward to seeing his family while on Christmas break.
“I’m excited to see my sister,” Barber said. “She is currently at grad school, so I only see her twice a year.”
Some holiday break activities for students include building snowmen, baking cookies, and decorating the tree, among relaxing at home.
While spending time with family seemed to be the predominant theme among students for the holiday break, some are using the time off to begin mentally preparing for the upcoming spring semester.
Izydorczak is hoping that the break, in addition to giving students time to recharge, will allow time for starting prep work for the next semester, and possibly even saving up for textbooks.
“It might give us time over break to work and save up money for textbooks,” said Izydorczak. “The only disadvantage from so much time off is not seeing friends.”
Tom Missel, Director of Media Relations and Marketing, explained that the number of academic days does not change despite the break extension.
“The bottom line is, sometimes the holidays fall at awkward times in the calendar, necessitating breaks of varying lengths,” Missel said. “Spring semester starts later this year but we also graduate later this year—the third Sunday in May as opposed to the typical second Sunday (Mother’s Day).”
As a now-biology major soon to be switching to psychology, Barber realizes the importance of keeping information fresh over the break.
“The possibility of forgetting some of the material that I’ve learned from the first semester is definitely a disadvantage of having an extended break,” Barber said. But at the same time, “More time to spend with family is a benefit, and it gives me more time to relax from final exams.”
