Saint Mary’s students planned to spend Tuesday — their second and final reading day of the semester — with friends, relaxing on their own or catching up on schoolwork.
The reading days served as a replacement for the weeklong spring break that was not included in this year’s academic calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first reading day took place Feb. 22.
Some students spent the day relaxing on campus and completing tasks that they would not have been able to complete during a full school day, they said. First-year Liz Sheets said she was glad to have the day off, but felt frustrated that students don’t have a spring break this year.
“I spent the day cleaning my room, going to the gym and hanging out with some friends,” she said. “It was very relaxing to have a day off, but I definitely would have preferred the week off instead of having these randomly scattered days.”
First-year Maria Dyro said she planned to use the day off to catch up on sleep and work.
“I will be sleeping in, napping and reading Jane Austen for my literature class,” she said. “I plan to have a leisurely morning and am grateful to have the day off.”
Dyro also expressed disappointment at the lack of a weeklong spring break.
“I would rather have a week off because it would be more of a vacation than a catch up day,” she said. “If I did have the week off, I would be visiting family, but this one day obviously does not allow us to leave.”
Although first-year Riley Kostic said she wished she could have had a normal spring break, she was grateful to have a day without classes. Kostic said she hoped to spend the day relaxing and studying.
“I honestly don’t really like that we don’t get a spring break, but there’s not much we can do about it,” she said. “Of course, I would love to have a normal spring break, but given the circumstances, one reading day is better than nothing.”
In contrast with the students that said they planned on using the reading day to relax on campus, there were some who planned on spending it outdoors.
First-year Liz Grimm said she wanted to use the reading day to get outside and take a break from schoolwork.
“I am going out to eat with my friends to take a mental health break from the stress of school,” Grimm said. “We like trying new restaurants in the area and eating outdoors, which allows us to enjoy the beautiful spring weather but also maintain our distance from others.”
Despite the lack of a spring break, students still expressed gratitude for the day off.
“I appreciate the effort that is being made by the Saint Mary’s community,” Grimm said. “They are doing the best they can.”
Grimm said she thought a weeklong break would have been feasible, since students and staff are beginning to receive the vaccine.
“With vaccines beginning to roll out, I believe that a weeklong break could’ve been permitted, especially since Easter is a very significant and important celebration for the Catholic faith,“ she said. “Although it has been very positive to have something rather than nothing, I feel as though it would’ve been better to have a spring break.”
The Student Government Association’s Social Concerns Committee hosted “Togetherness Tuesday” during the reading day, as part of the annual Love Your Body Week. The event was open to all students and took place in the tent outside of the student center. Belles were able to come grab a goodie bag and deliver it to a close friend.
