After months of hard work, students who once awaited the mental rest of Thanksgiving break now enter it with the added stress of nearing finals.

For many students, holiday breaks allow them to recharge and catch up on the much-needed sleep they miss during a busy week. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, most adolescents get 7.5 hours of sleep when they need around 9.5 hours.

“I recommend everyone get plenty of sleep and do things you enjoy with friends and family,” Math Department Head Bethany Goldman said.

With a week of relaxing and hanging out with friends just within reach, students push through the projects and tests that pile up the week before the break. On that final Friday, the last thing they want to realize is how small the gap is between the restart of school and finals.

“People start to feel more stressed as they hear others talk about their plans to take advantage of the break to get ahead by working on things like starting their final study guides,” sophomore Jordan Frawner said.

Thanksgiving break is meant to be a time for students to relax before the dreaded finals season begins. However, with Thanksgiving falling so late this year, many students feel pressured to study and work on final projects over the break rather than take a break from the stress of school.

The extra homework that teachers assign adds to the pressure students face. Nonetheless, having work to complete over the break can help keep students’ minds active and engaged.

“At my previous school we were not allowed to assign work over breaks, and I noticed students returning having forgotten what we last covered,” Upper School Chemistry teacher Laura Kopff said. “I think teachers should not assign more work than they normally would on a regular school night because it’s important for students to have a chance to rest and do teenage things.”

Additionally, students often struggle to manage their workload when they travel during breaks or have extracurricular commitments, making homework a chore they end up completing on Sunday night. Wanting to enjoy their vacations or sports tournaments while also keeping up with their peers by studying ahead, students continue to feel stressed.

“My advice for students feeling worn out over the break is to plan, plan, plan,” Upper School guidance counselor Claire Wisdom said. “Once you know what you want and need to do over the break, you can start to schedule your time to ensure each day has a balance of academics, extracurriculars, and relaxation.”

Thanksgiving break is a time for everyone to express gratitude and cherish those around them. Even teachers who have been grading papers and tests all semester need the week to rest. Finding the perfect balance between work and fun is key to staying positive and relaxed while making the most of this time to recharge.

“I think it’s important to recover and recharge to get ready for the end of the semester,” Upper School Spanish teacher Margarita Serrano said. “Teachers need their break too.”