Spring. Break?!

Greg Tuttle

he/him

Assisting Campus Minister

School breaks play a crucial role in maintaining students' mental and physical well-being. They provide an essential opportunity for students to step away from the daily pressures of assignments, exams, and classroom routines. Without these breaks, students can experience burnout, stress, and fatigue, which can hinder their ability to learn effectively. Breaks allow students to recharge, refresh their minds, and return to their studies with renewed focus and energy, ultimately improving their academic performance. These pauses in the academic calendar are vital for maintaining a healthy balance between work and relaxation, helping students to develop better coping strategies for managing their time and responsibilities.

In addition to supporting mental health, school breaks foster social and emotional development. During these times, students often have the chance to engage in activities outside of the classroom, such as spending time with family and friends, pursuing hobbies, or exploring new interests. These experiences contribute to a well-rounded education, as they help students build interpersonal skills, creativity, and resilience. Moreover, breaks offer students a chance to reflect on their academic progress and set new goals, providing a sense of accomplishment and motivation. Overall, school breaks are not just a luxury but a necessary part of a student’s growth and learning journey.

More and more, I see that many students avoid taking breaks because they feel pressured to constantly stay productive, fearing that taking time off will derail their academic progress or performance. Masters candidates look for Assistant gigs, labs, mentors, and more.  Undergrads catch up on assignments, jumpstart projects, and more.  This mindset is often fueled by a culture that prizes overwork and constant hustle, leading students to believe that uninterrupted study sessions are the only path to success. Additionally, students may struggle with time management, thinking that any break will eat into their limited study time, making them more hesitant to pause and recharge. In some cases, a lack of awareness about the benefits of regular breaks—such as improved focus, retention, and mental well-being—contributes to their reluctance to step away from their work.

Pastor Darin and I take great pride in supporting breaks to rest, reflect, and wonder.  Golly, all of our banners say, “Rest Here.”  Coming back from a break used to begin with, "How was your break?” I’ve since changed to, “How do you feel after your break?”  So many students have little patience for inauthenticity and welcome the honest question with honest answers.  “Not long enough.” “I need another.” “What break?”  One UCSD student said that she camped in Joshua Tree for two days that felt like a lifetime.  She made time to “Get out of town and get into beauty.”  We might not have the luxury of a week off but making time for sabbath is so necessary to ‘get into beauty.”