Breaking the "winter break" curse 
by Dan Rzewnicki, Editor in Chief
January 11 , 2011
Perhaps the most coveted and anticipated time of the year, winter break leaves us with over a week off. Yet, by the third or fourth day, I always find myself lying on the floor in the fetal position, hoping my phone will bring news of possible activities for the day. Days off school really grind my gears.
Even though I find myself bored and with no activities all day, all break long I find myself physically incapable of working on homework or other school-related tasks. It seemed as if every time I even approached a school book or notebook my hand began burning and trembling, repelling even the thought of working on something productive. No matter how repetitive the task, sitting on the couch while enjoying a can of whipped cream remained much more inviting than the chair in front of the computer.
This winter break also featured less-than-desirable weather. It not only offered no snow, but it supplied us with enough ugly, depressing rain to last all of the new year. I might compare the thickness of the mud on my lawn to that of the earth's crust. I found it rather difficult to absorb the holiday atmosphere when the reindeer and decorations on my front lawn more closely resembled mud monsters than bringers of holiday cheer.
Unfortunately, every day off school leaves all of my peers off as well, meaning many of my classmates and "friends" share the same boredom as I. Simply because I pass you between the rooms 508 and 509 every other day exactly 27 seconds after period four has ended doesn't mean you should ask me to "hang out! ;)." Only a select few people in this world remain worthy of my time. Unfortunately, you are most likely not one of them.
Days off school, especially holiday breaks, force us to suffer through time with our family members. While I rather enjoy spending time with the majority of my family, nearly all of us can remember a family member that we can't wait to escape from. For instance, Uncle Eddie, who talks loud enough for everyone in the house to hear him tell the same story with nine different endings, falls into the category of "I-have-to-use-the-bathroom-for-the-next-four-hours relatives.”
Usually during our lazy stretch of days when we consume thousands more calories than we burn, our parents and family members expect us to offer some contribution to the necessary chores. While I don't mind chores, cleaning the toilet allows me to grasp a greater appreciation for the gift of school and janitors.
Have you ever attempted to diet or maintain a healthy lifestyle while enjoying several days off school? Don't. You will fail.
Have you ever tried returning to a more "school-like" sleep cycle just a few days before returning to school? Don't. You will, once again, fail.
After suffering through our days off school leaves us prepared to return to our studies, nothing prepares us for the worst, most devastating part of every day off school: the return to school. Even though we anticipated our break for weeks, hated it after the first few days and returned ready to learn, our first day back reminded us why we anticipated our break for weeks, possibly even months.
It seems that everything goes wrong on our first day back. Many people would not even know when to return to school if not for the unbelievable number of people on Facebook complaining about waking up early, deciding which “holiday” gift to wear, and neglecting the project they “forgot” (or remained unable) to work on over the break.
All in all, I find it tough to decide which is the lesser of two evils. While both enjoying a day on the couch and spending the day learning about tort reforms have their perks, neither one seems to provide enjoyment when taken in large dosages. I can only suggest that we attend school two days in a row with one day off after that, since we have decided that enduring either for a stretch of time is poison. The fact that I now despise days off school as much as days in school really grinds my gears.
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