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S2AlumDisagree
Spring break need to be the full week I think mid march is too early for a spring break. It would be nice to move a Feb break into march but think we should keep the spring break until later in the semester when classes have been picked up for a while. Spring break is too early. Disagree with shortening exam period. When the February break (2 days) was instituted, many thought it was a useless break where it was placed because we had just returned from Winter Vacation a few weeks prior. The long break should be in the later part of the semester where burnout is a bigger issue. No no no. The spring semester is long enough. Do not put the LONG break close to the already-too-long winter break. That's straight cruel. People like to go on trips for spring break. If you put it in the beginning of March, it's still winter. What kind of break is that? And please stop trying to shorten our study period. That is in every proposition in this survey thus far and I STRONGLY disagree with it. Also, starting the semester on a Thursday? What's up with that? Longer break is better placed later in the semester when student burnout is greatest after second sets of Prelims. There should be a longer spring break in late March or early April, rather than just have two days in April and a whole week in March. To be honest, the S2 calendar just doesn't make much sense. Having a full week off towards the end of the semester is wonderful and should not be changed!! Having the 2 days off for February break is good because the semester has just started and you're not that tired yet. Keep the longer break later!! Very weird to reverse Spring Break and February break timing, though I'm sure it makes sense with only academic needs in mind. Many clubs, sports teams, and other groups use the Spring Break time to attend conferences, additional competitions, etc. and early March is definitely way too early from a sports standpoint at least. Having Spring Break that early I think would also make the semester feel much longer. I personally at least feel much more refreshed towards the beginning of the semester, and can go much longer in the first half without feeling overwhelmed. An earlier Spring Break would not give students that later-semester time to take stock of where they are in each class and catch up before the final push towards finals. On the topic of two breaks, I personally feel ambivalent towards the concept. I had no issue with the academic calendar before February Break was implemented, and especially in the first year it felt like a strange unnecessary long weekend. However, students may have now come to rely on it, and it does provide another marker to break up the semester. Please feel free to shorten the exam period, but spread out the study days. Move at least one to the middle to break up the 7 days of potential exam testing in a row. I said in my previous response that Memorial Day is good for commencement because it provides more flexibility for most parents/relatives/attendees, but it is also very late compared to many schools, and can sometimes conflict with internship/job start dates. I do not like the idea of such an early spring break, partially since it is right after coming back and because the weather is poor during this time. Timing of weeklong break is improved. Timing of April break would align with Easter in 2017, but would have no alignment with holidays in future years. Exams span a Sunday with no break. It was my senior spring when they first changed the calendar back in 2014, and I was concerned about this when I first heard about the proposed changes, because I didn't understand how there were claims that it would make less back-to-back exams, etc. if the days for finals were being compressed. And, it turns out, exactly what I feared happened. Throughout my time at Cornell I had always taken a rather large course load each semester, so I was very used to numerous exams. However, I had NEVER had such a terrible exam schedule as I did that spring. For the first time I had 3 finals scheduled for one day, and 2 scheduled 2 days later. This was absolutely ridiculous. It would be one thing if this were just my own experience. But for a LARGE majority of everyone I talked to, this was the rule rather than the exception. People had 3 or 4 exams scheduled on the same day, and the finals went through the weekend. This was completely of the opposite of reducing student stress. It seems as though the whole calendar
change dud nothing but INCREASE student stress. I have heard that Cornell messed up the algorithm for scheduling exams. If this is true, WHY DIDN'T THEY THEN FIX IT?! Instead, they seemed to have told professors to be flexible in allowing make-up exams. I don't think Cornell realizes how inflexible professors usually are in this area. They all think their class is most important and that the other professor should change their exam instead. In the end, this just results in more stress and frustration for the student. Also, with slope day on Thursday, it took away YET ANOTHER of our much needed study days. And then we always have our track Ivy League Championships that weekend right before finals start. In the past, we would have this very important track meet, return to campus, and then still have 2 days to study before exams start. Now, however, they start the next day (Monday) and (surprise!) this is the day that all of us seemed to have been scheduled 3 or 4 exams. Seriously. This does NOT REDUCE STUDENT STRESS! I honestly saw nothing positive about that last schedule change. I really felt like the schedule was not thought through, and I was disappointed that despite all the student protests before it was enacted, we were not heard. With this proposed schedule above, I do not understand what the main argument here is for changing things, as all the things listed above are rather weak motivators. Point number 5- the exam period- I think it misguided. I thoroughly needed all of those study days, and judging by how the change to the spring schedule felt my senior year when they took away study days- it really does make a huge difference when they are taken away. Sure, other schools may have less study days, but I do not feel it is a fair comparison. Other schools test in different ways; at Cornell with our prelim schedules, we are often tested less than at other universities and as a result each exam covers more material and weight towards our grade. I think having the one study day off in the middle of the exam period as the schedule currently has is vital for students. The variation mentioned above that suggests changing the exam period to 11 days would make it even worse than what they did my senior spring and I strongly oppose this for the reasons already stated. The only improvement I see here is potentially moving around the spring and February break to what is best academically. The break in February was completely unnecessary in the first place and was probably more disruptive than productive. It came at a very bad time in the semester- classes had only just started so there was no need for a break, it really just ruined my momentum with studying, etc. Spring Break being pushed back was also a huge issue. The weeks leading up to Spring Break are always rather stressful, and a lot of assignments and exams occur. The old timing of Spring Break was perfect- right after a huge round of tests and was much needed. My senior year when they changed the calendar, it came way too late- I was beyond exhausted and stressed out because it was a much longer stretch than I was used to. It also messed up the scheduling of exams (especially in courses with three prelims)so that these exams were right when we returned from Spring Break. So not only did the break come too late at a point where I was way too stressed, but then I had to spend my Spring Break preparing for the exams I was going to have as soon as I returned. It used to be that prelims just ended right as Spring Break began, so the break was very much welcomed and it was actually able to be a break. It also really disrupted the outdoor track schedule of meets (I was a student athlete). Also, as a note: for future, it would be helpful in these surveys to have a but more of an explanation as to where these "motivators" are coming from, and what is meant by "childcare days". It's too cold to have a week-long break in early March. I prefer having a short break first and a long break second in the semester. I also prefer more study days and spreading out exams. ??????????? DON'T DO THIS???? I don't even know why this is being proposed. It makes no sense. All the more difficult work happens closer to the end of the semester, not the beginning of the semester. Late-mid March is when students really need that full-week break to rest & catch up on work, not early-March. Plus Cornellians want their breaks to line up with students from other schools so they can hang out with high school friends, etc. While the spring break moving earlier is nice, the random day in April is strange. Also February is the hardest month to be in Ithaca, so break is more important then in the worst part of winter. The longer break should be reserved for the second half of the semester, which allows for full recovery of students' intellectual capacities and allows them to finish the semester with much more ambition and energy. I feel like students need the long spring break to look forward to before exams happen, as a final push. I would keep the order of the breaks as they are/were. A week off so early in the semester is unecessary.
Again, you are rushing the study period and exam period, and keeping the high stress current calendar's most fatal flaw: weekend exams. While I agree that the senior week that used to exist should be returned, as a means of not leaving people hating the school, this does not effectively accomplish it. Also, I disagree with switching February and Spring Break. It would be better to have a February break that seems early compared to no useful breaks in the second half of the semester, when stress levels are so high. Under this calendar, the spring break will get complaints that it is too late. Compressing the final exam period is TERRIBLE. you're also undermining spring traditions at the school which shouldn't be discounted, as they've been for the last several years. spring break earlier in the year is anti-climatic. earlier spring break closes opportunities for beach or other warmer- weather vacations While Spring Break is a bit late, this change arguably makes it too early. It's literally not even spring yet and it's not really even close Spring break is too early here, would not align with friends at other universities Having spring break earlier seems less desirable to me, it's colder everywhere in February Spring Break should be second in order Should have the longer break when the weather is warmer. Don't like the shortened time to study for exams. The extra exam days is enough to prepare for dorms and graduation. Once again, I consider it crucial that the calendar incorporates a study day in the middle of the final exam period. Students need the longer break later in the semester when they are more stressed out. The stress hasn't built up after only 5 weeks of class. It would be tough to find a relaxing spring break in warm weather so early in the semester. Reversing the spring break and having a random 2 day break at the end of the semester seems weird. I like the idea of a break on or close to Presidents day The week long break comes too early in the semester. it's not spring when spring break occurs! The delayed April break will probably be at a time that is very busy academically and will not allow students to really enjoy a break. During Thanksgiving, for example, many professors are known to assign work over the break that is due immediately upon returning, requiring students to work during the period designated as break time. With an earlier February break, the chances of professors doing this is diminished. I always feel overwhelmed at the end of the semester and tend to benefit from more time off to recover and catch up on things. A longer break earlier is an interesting idea, but I think students need a long break later in the semester. Having a one week break after a few weeks of class I believe is not a great idea academically. After the winter break, students get used to school and new schedule after a few weeks. However, the one week break right after those adaption period to me does not make sense. Also, I appreciate one week long break during April so that I can be refreshed for the upcoming finals. (and graduations..) I like a later spring break. People often need the longer break after the 2nd round of prelims. February break is best psychologically, academic benefits be damned. Same comments as S It's still going to be snowing in March. You should have the longer break when it's more likely to be warm out.
It is preferable to have a longer break later in the semester I prefer the original order of breaks (I'd rather have a longer break towards the end). Longer breaks are necessary towards the end-of-semester. Switching the order of the breaks is strange and doesn't take advantage of nicer weather in April. There isn't a break too early in the semester when students don't quite need it yet Our spring break should not depend on when other schools have it, but when it will be the most beneficial to out students. For classes that have two preliminary exams, professors will likely want to give one prior to spring break, resulting in an overload for students. Don't reduce the study period. It's not too long. Having a longer break towards the end of the semester is better than towards the beginning. The longer break is needed closer towards the end, especially when you are catching up before finals. The first break comes too late, and the study/exam period is too short. Spring break at the beginning of March feels way too early. Better to have a longer break second. I prefer the longer break later in the quarter, because that's when it's needed the most. I do not think that the timing of the short break and the longer spring break should be changed. Travel will be much more difficult in early March than in early April. Long break is more needed later on. Weather is awful so early in march, so likely to run into travel problems for spring break if held in early march. I definitely do not like the movement of Spring Break to that early in the semester and having Spring Break be the first break in the semester.
- I don't like the way the breaks are split up. Spring break is too early and the random break in April is not helpful. Its better to have a longer break after Students are more stressed, later in the semester. 2. I would keep a 12-day exam period Better to have spring break later when the weather is nicer. Spring break is long enough (5 days plus weekends) and a second break is not needed. I prefer the later spring break because the weather is better for traveling. Spring break that early would be counter productive. No matter the time, students always seem to get spring fever and reduce work efforts after the break, so having it so early would be worse. For more productive students, the break is well placed to help stay on top of increasing work later in the semester. A longer break in the second half of the semester is much better to help students recharge after the second round of prelims. Having a shorter break in the busiest part of the semester is counter-productive. Spring break week is important to have for me, since most other schools have a whole week off around that time, which is often when my family also has a week off, and when Easter occurs. Don't cut study days! Spring break here is too early. The later spring break is much better. The later in the semester you are, the more value a week off has Having spring break that early would make the rest of the semester seem too long regardless of having the two days off for break. too long from school starting until students get a break. bad for mental health etc The S2 plan puts the Spring break too early which will conflict with Spring Training for Varsity sports teams. It will still be in the middle of Winter sport competition season and teams will not be able to travel for training purposes
I don't think the flip is worth it, the stress normally comes later in the semester after prelim season. I like the break in February because this time of year is when most students are suffering from seasonal affective disorder and might feel more depressed from the weather. It is nice to have a break to get away Ithaca during the cold and gloom. Also a pivotal interview period. The current break schedule works great for the students. Especially the two day break in February is needed in the dark part of winter. Reversing the breaks would inevitably push the week-long break later than needed by the students and would make it an awkwardly early 'spring break'. Prefer to have the longer break second. Better to have a longer break towards the end of the semester when it's a more stressful period Finals week is too short. Why can't we start earlier in January?
- Reduced exam period 2. Prefer to have the longer break later after so much time off for winter break Reducing the study period and holding all exams over 7 days (instead of 9) adds additional stress to the exam period. I'm indifferent to switching the duration of the two breaks. The feb break is not too early. The Spring Break is not too late. I had a very visceral reaction against the early spring break. This may be because it is so different than what I am used to but I think there is a greater benefit to having the longer break later in the semester. In it's current position it ties in better with midterm exams and provides a meaningful break to re-engerize before coming in for the final push. Spring break is way too early in this version Spring Break comes at an ideal time for athletic teams to travel somewhere warm to train and get in early team competitions (i.e. the track team cannot set fast early season times in Ithaca when it snows). If the break is earlier, it comes at an awkward time for winter sports teams. Additionally, the long break is not needed so early in the semester. Students need time to decompress closer to finals. That's too early for spring break. I do like the extra day in senior week though. spring break is too early now This does not resolve the issue of an unusually placed spring break, and I feel that the longer break should be later in the semester to have the maximal stress-reducing effect (as well as the fact that the weather is considerably better for traveling or for staying in Ithaca in early April as compared to late Feb/early March). I don't think it makes sense to swap the two breaks in terms of length. Many schools do not have a February Break from my experience; also, the February Break is early enough in the semester that students do not need such a long break. I think spring break is too close to the start of the semester. Students have only been in classes for just over a month. For out of state students who would fly home I think having a later spring break helps to bring up the semester better. A stretch from early march to the end of the semester with only a 4 day weekend becomes more mentally exhausting for the students. Could diminish academic performance. Prefer S1. I think the longer break should be later in the semester when the weather's better, because students will need more time to recuperate nearer the end of the semester. Having spring break later is nice because it allows us to have more flexibility with travel options. eliminates Feb break No don't switch the two breaks. I prefer the current spring break placement-- I personally couldn't see myself needing a full week off after only five full weeks of classes. Don't see much value in reversing the breaks
spring break will not align with other schools if students are trying to coordinate with friends. both spring break dates seem to extreme, somewhere in the middle would be best Dislike because reduction of study period and also dislike the switching of feb and spring breaks. Spring Break would be way too early. Terrible placement of breaks for students. It's nice to have a break between the start of the semester and spring break - otherwise it goes very long. Speaking from experience back before the introduction of the February Break HORRIBLE IDEA. People like to travel to warm places during Spring Break! Spring Break in early March?! Where can students travel to that will be warm, besides taking a plane to the Bahamas? If you did this plan, there would be a LOT of unhappy students. I don't like the week off early in the semester. I do like the shortened exam period. small break before big break Same reason as S1 framework. The unusually placed spring break would prevent students from being able to take part in meaningful spring break service trips and opportunities. I don't think you should reduce the study period. Study period should not be shortened. It feels like the longer break should be when the weather is better.
