Every year students are filled with anticipation and stress as they wait through the three weeks in between Thanksgiving and Christmas break. They want to enjoy the festivities of the holidays but are often overloaded with schoolwork, sports and clubs. Many find it hard to go back to school after having a week off for Thanksgiving.
“I came in and it was like my sleep schedule was really messed up, I was really tired and I just couldn’t focus on anything,” sophomore Vincent Zegrea said.
December is a busy month for many students; teachers are assigning projects and schoolwork, winter sports are starting up and clubs are participating in multiple school events. Students struggle to find time to balance all of the activities while still staying motivated and keeping the holiday cheer.
“Playing a sport and balancing school is so hard,” said sophomore Lauren Flanagan, a member of the girls basketball team. “I attempt to plan ahead, working in correlation to my practice and game schedule, especially around Christmas because it’s prime basketball season. It’s around the time when we first play South.”
Not only do students struggle but so do teachers. As a result of students being tuned out and unwilling to do work, teachers have to deal with the consequences. Many teachers are faced with unproductive and unmotivated students who simply want to make it to Christmas break.
“My students seem to be a little more energetic, like they are excited for the break that’s coming up,” English teacher Amanda Slone said. “I try to end the semester with something new and fun so when we come back it’s not something they have to remember a bunch of.”
Even though everyone is busy and distracted there are still fun events for the holidays that can help keep students excited throughout the next couple weeks of school. Every year the band and choir have a Christmas concert; this year the band concert was Dec. 12 and the choir concert will be Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. There will also be a performance during school Dec. 20 for all of the students and faculty.
“I believe that this is a great way to kick off the break because hearing the band and choir really makes me feel like it is truly Christmas, especially when times are hard,” junior Nastasia Miller said.
