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Should Mount Marty University Keep the Two Weeks After Thanksgiving — or Combine It All Into One Long Break?

Every fall, students at Mount Marty University settle into a familiar routine: classes ramp up, midterms fly by, Thanksgiving break arrives like a breath of fresh air — and then we return for a short, two-week sprint before finals and Christmas break.

But year after year, the same question pops up in dorms, group chats, and cafeteria conversations:
Would it be better if Thanksgiving break and Christmas break were combined into one longer break, eliminating the awkward two-week stretch in between?

Let’s break down both sides of the debate.

The Case for One Long Break

1. The Two-Week Return Is… Awkward

It’s hard to deny the struggle. Students head home for Thanksgiving, settle into family time, eat too much turkey, decompress — and then suddenly have to flip the switch back to “school mode” for just fourteen days. Motivation tends to plummet, stress spikes with final projects, and the campus feels both rushed and under-energized.

2. Travel Costs Would Be Easier

For students who travel far — especially those out of state — coming back for only two weeks can feel inefficient and expensive. One long break would mean fewer flights, fewer days on the road, and fewer logistical headaches.

3. Better Mental Reset

Instead of a short break followed by an intense academic push, a longer uninterrupted break could allow students to fully recharge. It might be especially helpful for athletes and students juggling clubs, jobs, or clinical/practicum requirements.

The Case for Keeping the Two Weeks After Thanksgiving

1. Academic Flow Matters

Those two weeks aren’t just filler — they’re where labs wrap up, final papers are polished, and professors prepare students for finals. Cutting them would either push the semester earlier into August or require a compressed, high-stress schedule.

2. Campus Traditions Live in December

Christmas at the Mount is a vibe. Campus events, holiday gatherings, and Advent activities all happen during the post-Thanksgiving stretch. Without those two weeks, the community atmosphere around the holidays would take a hit.

3. Structure Helps Students Stay Grounded

Some students benefit from returning after Thanksgiving. It keeps momentum going academically and prevents the “long-break fog” that can make January feel like starting school from scratch.

So… Should We Change It?

It ultimately comes down to balance. A combined break would solve the awkwardness and travel issues, but we’d lose important academic time and campus traditions. The current schedule, while imperfect, gives Mount Marty the chance to close the semester intentionally rather than rushing it — even if it requires a burst of motivation when everyone would rather stay home eating leftovers.

If anything, the conversation highlights how much the community values rest, structure, and meaningful campus experiences. Maybe the answer isn’t eliminating the two weeks — but finding ways to make them smoother, more supportive, and a little less chaotic.

Hopefully you all had a great break! But finish strong for Fall semester! :) 

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Women's basketball vs Briar Cliff @ 2pm followed by Men's basketball @ 3:45pm! 

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