by Vanessa Leung ‘25
After a hopefully wonderful Thanksgiving break full of rest and reunion, students force themselves back into the daily rigor of school and athletics. Of course, shifting from 10 hours of sleep and idling around back to the compacted school schedule is never easy, but as this cycle gradually repeats and we slowly get back into the fast-paced lifestyle that once dominated our lives since the beginning of the school year we are then thrown back into an 18 day break and again into the slow, relaxing rhythm of a holiday mood.
In between Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks stands an awkward three-week period of school. Like an advertisement in between a suspenseful moment in your TV show, this interval stops you from enjoying holiday life. Perhaps these three weeks are a way for St. Mark’s to shift from fall to winter season, but at the same time the three weeks in between the two breaks do raise challenges for many students.
On the first day back after break, many students have jokingly commented on how the school should’ve also included the three weeks in between the two breaks off as they don’t see the point in having only a short period of school. Students who don’t live locally talked about the inconveniences of having to unpack back from break only soon to pack up again for Christmas. International students also stated the possibility to travel back to their home countries for a longer duration if the two holidays were connected.
These three weeks however shouldn’t be seen as just a mere pause from break. As we all know, this period is full of abnormalities such as the Monday-Friday special schedule, Lessons and Carols, Songfest, and assessment week. Songfest, held on Friday December 2, was a blast as each dorm house competed and showcased their performances of dancing to a Christmas themed song. After the Songfest winners were announced (congrats to Thayer and Sculley 2!) was the Christmas tree lighting, where St. Markers were allowed to get into an early holiday festivity with their friends and school community. Lessons and Carols would also be held in Chapel where students perform and sing along to Christmas carol songs. Of course, there is also assessment week, where classes assign projects or tests for students on their assessment day. Yet do not worry as there will be an Exam bake, a place to get homemade sweets and snacks brought in by parents, to encourage you on!
While this may not be your typical three weeks of school, this time period definitely shouldn’t be overlooked, as it is a time to get into a festive mood and get all your major academic work done so you don’t have to worry about it over break!
