The holiday season is traditionally a time for relaxation and family gatherings, but for many Florida A&M University students, it’s anything but restful. With final exams and project deadlines looming, students find themselves struggling to balance academic responsibilities with the desire to embrace the holidays fully.
According to the American Council on Education, 78% of college students feel overwhelmed trying to balance school and personal commitments during the holiday season. At FAMU, the pressure is palpable, with some students expressing concern that academic obligations overshadow the holiday spirit.
Faith Francois, a senior broadcast journalism student, said going home over the holiday break is like a race against the clock. “Over the break, I went to see ‘Wicked’ with my family,” Francois said. “I had a good time, but it’s an inconvenience to be on a break and still have to rush home to make sure all of my assignments are done for the night.”
For others, the timing of assignments and exams has led to difficult decisions, often resulting in stress.
Joel Mitchell, a senior broadcast journalism student, said professors overestimate how much time is in a semester.
“I’m a working college student and always have to pick a day I want off since I can’t take the whole holiday season,” Mitchell said. “Fall semester isn’t that long, and the professors always give a lot of work at the same time, which can put a strain on our mental stability.”
Many students feel that the demands of the academic calendar leave little room for relaxation. While FAMU observes the holiday, the short break offers only a brief pause before the end-of-semester crunch. Students often find themselves using the time to catch up on coursework rather than recharging.
Jasmine Petition, a junior public relations student, shared some tips that helped keep her ahead during the holiday break.
“I managed my coursework by completing the assignments that I know will take the longest first,” Petition said. “If I have a short quiz later that week, I’d get ahead on the paper, take the quiz, and then finish up the paper.”
Despite these challenges, some students are finding ways to cope. Strategies like time management and setting boundaries are helping students carve out moments of rest. As FAMU students power through the holiday season, many are left to wonder: Is this truly a break, or just an extension of the semester under a different name?
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