WOODBURY — As the school year goes along, tests, homework, and busy schedules increase; many students begin to feel overwhelmed and mentally drained. But alas, a savior — spring break — comes around to save students from the drag of the school year to give them a break.
When spring break rolls around, many families jump at the opportunity to go on a vacation during their short break from school and work.
“My family and I go on vacation occasionally,” says Chloe Lambert, freshman at Nonnewaug High School. “Vacations really help my mental health because it gives me a break from practice and school. It gives my brain the time it needs to rest and get away from my hometown, and I think being away on vacation just does that.”
Many families choose to go to different states, countries, or even visit family in the same town; though, even staying in the comfort of your own home can still be a tranquil ‘getaway.’
“Regardless if students are traveling somewhere or not, it provides a mental break from the daily grind of school,” says NHS school counselor Danielle Hutchins. “[Spring break] allows everyone to come back to school rejuvenated and ready for the final push until finals and the end of the year.”
Whether students are going on vacation for spring break, or just staying home and relaxing; the two common denominators within the two kinds of students on spring break is a pause in academics, healing their brains to take a break and rebuilding their learning minds to complete the rest of the school year.
School-work can cause extreme stress for students, but the pause of classes for just one week can slow down the incoming stress students build up, and the break creates a stop within the school schedule to give students a well deserved vacation.
“I think spring break promotes positive mental health for students,” says Sofia Cruz, freshman at Nonnewaug. “It allows students to have a positive break from school, and they can leave all their stress behind..”
One of the biggest benefits of spring break is the reduction of stress; when students are given time away from deadlines and expectations, their minds have a chance to rest and recover.
This break can improve mood, increase motivation, and even boost focus when they return to school; Instead of feeling drained, students often come back refreshed and ready to learn.
Collaborative Minds Psychotherapy LLC explains.
“Most students and families don’t only look forward to Spring Break because they have fun plans–they mentally and physically need the break,” reads the article.
“2024 statistics data have found that 75% of U.S high school students experience boredom, anger, sadness, fear, or stress while in school; further data shows that 75% of high schoolers and 50% of middle schoolers describe themselves as ‘often or always feeling stressed’ by schoolwork. This stress can cause tension at home and end up impacting the entire family.”
Studies like these show that while school builds up much tension and frustration as well as increased physical and mental stress, spring break rolls around just in time for students to ‘get back on track’ and continue their education hopefully a little less stressed than they were before.
In the end, spring break is more than just time off– it is an essential part of maintaining mental health; by giving students space to recharge, it helps them return to school stronger, more focused, and have an increased chance of success.
