By Hilary Connelly
Gimme a break! Some students find the lack of scheduled vacation time affecting their schoolwork and social life.
'BYU puts too much focus on studying and getting married; the whole process seems like it is trying to run me into the ground,' said McKell Toolson, 19, a sophomore open major from Gilbert, Ariz. 'I would do a lot better in school if I got a break in the fall and winter semesters. I feel like there is no time to breathe and enjoy college.'
BYU has a unique schedule that allows students to graduate or get out of school in April, way ahead of other universities. This also gives students the opportunity of attending school for a spring and a summer term instead of only a summer program that other colleges offer.
'The one good thing about getting out of school so early is getting a jump on summer jobs ahead of other college students,' said Katie Robbins, 20, a junior from Marietta, Ga., majoring in sociology. 'We should, however, get a spring break.'
Robbins said there is little time with the current schedule to just hang out with friends or take vacations with friends who live across the county.
'Having more breaks would allow me to be refreshed for finals and catch up on school work too,' she said.
Similarly, some professors find the lack of breaks difficult in spending time with family and enjoying free time.
'Last year''s Olympic break was a nice moment,' said religion professor S. Kent Brown. 'I know students like to have the time to catch up on schoolwork and it is definitely nice for me to enjoy having free time.'
Last year students received a shorter Christmas break and only one reading day for finals due to the week off during the Winter Olympics.
With the accreditation requirements, students must be in class 70 days a semester. The 5-year calendar is planned so that the university meets these minimum demands.
'The calendar is the only reason we don''t have a spring break,' said Ron Bybee, academic scheduling officer. 'There is no room for an extra week off. Last year''s Olympic break was really difficult to schedule and we had to make a lot of sacrifices throughout the year to make up those days.'
Bybee said there are more than enough holidays throughout the semester for students to catch up on schoolwork and the school added an extra day onto Thanksgiving break as well as Christmas holiday.
'I understand students concerns,' Bybee said. 'You''ve got to have time to breathe.'
BYU''s trimester system also allows the university to host unique events such as Education Week, PioneerDday, and other education conferences. The combination of these events consumes all the available days.
'Our goal is to let the students out early so that they can get a jump on the job market. With that, there isn''t a week to give away,' Bybee said. Gett
Some students appreciate the opportunity to get ahead in school during the spring and summer terms and find the lack of breaks worth getting school over with as quickly as possible.
'I don''t mind working really hard so I can get the semester over with,' said Heather Morgan, 23, a senior from Kailua, Hawaii majoring in geographic information systems. 'I wish we had a longer Christmas vacation - it definitely goes by too quickly.'
With midterms almost over and the holiday season rapidly approaching, students express their desire for a much-needed break.
'I get so burnt out by mid-semester. We really should get at least a three-day weekend during the semester to catch up on school and enjoy life,' said Chelsea Hertford, 21, a junior from Thousand Oaks, Calif., majoring in visual arts. 'But at least we have the opportunity to get out early and choose to study during spring and summer semesters.'