Thanksgiving break conflicts with finals schedule

EMMA FIGLEWICZ
STAFF WRITER

11/25/2024

As the fall semester nears its end, students eagerly anticipate Thanksgiving break-a well-deserved opportunity to recharge before the final stretch of the academic year. However, for many, this mid-semester pause presents a unique challenge.  

The timing of Thanksgiving break often creates a delicate balancing act, as students find themselves torn between relaxing and catching up on coursework. This combination of rest and pressure has a significant impact on both a student’s academic performance and mental well-being which I think has caused a lot of unnecessary stress for students across campus.  

“Having Thanksgiving break right before finals is going to make it difficult for me to study. When I go home for break I want to relax and enjoy time with my family, I can’t do that if I have to study for my finals,” said Sofia Floros (’26). 

“I think Thanksgiving break being right before finals is more harmful that beneficial. It disrupts the momentum needed for studying because it is hard to balance relaxing during the break with looming stress of finals,” said Nishant Khairnar (’25).  

The schooling of the academic calendar this year got pushed up due to the way Labor Day landed on the calendar. This led to finals week getting pushed up a week earlier than normal.  

“Our fall term calendar is determined by Labor Day. We begin the term on Monday one week before Labor Day. Labor Day moves around, and this year was about the earliest it gets [Sep. 2]. That means that everything in our calendar were about the earliest they get. This is why fall concludes on Dec. 6, which determined the week of final exams,” said Sean Burke, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. 

“It’s just how the calendar worked out. I do think it is a little bonkers for students to have 5-6 days of break and have to take exams. I’m concerned for students who may have questions and who are finishing projects and papers. Before finals week students tend to have many questions and by not having classes before finals week it limits the ability to get all questions or concerns answered. During breaks I want to turn my email off, but I won’t because I want to be there for my students,” said Kristen Olbertson, Professor of History.  

Although many students are feeling stressed out due to the time frame of finals some are trying to find a positive side of the situation.  

“I think having Thanksgiving Break right before finals will allow me to focus more on studying without the added pressure of attending weekly meetings or classes. But I also feel like it may be stressful trying to balance seeing my family and studying for my finals,” said Grace Ludema (’26). 

As most students at Alma College prepare to leave for the Thanksgiving holiday break most international students find themselves facing a different set of circumstances.  

“For many students, especially international students like me, it feels like there’s pressure to make the most of the holiday but also stay focused on academics,” said Khairnar.  

“One big challenge is not being able to see my family. While I’ve made close friends here, Thanksgiving can feel a bit isolating when everyone around you is going home to their families. Travel costs and academic schedules often make it impossible to visit home,” said Khairnar. 

Overall, the scheduling of Thanksgiving break in correlation to final exam week has caused a lot of unnecessary stress for students as they struggle to find a balance between rest and responsibility.