When else will you have this much time to finish homework?

By Jennifer Northway

Though I am pretty sure most students will disagree with my point of view on this topic, I ask that they just for a moment stop thinking I am a raving lunatic and listen with a clear mind to what I have to say. I don’t have a problem with professors assigning work over Thanksgiving break, and there are several reasons why.

First, if it wasn’t assigned over break it would probably have to be squeezed in somewhere else during the semester, and I would prefer to do it over break when I only have a few things to do, and my schedule is relatively free.

Also, whenever I go on any sort of break, my mind usually disengages in whatever I was learning before I left. This leads to me cramming to remember everything that I had let slip, whereas if I continue to do my work throughout my time off, I don’t give myself a chance to forget it.

Mostly though, if you have a huge problem with doing work over break, then do it ahead of time. The professors give you a syllabus for a reason, and you know in advance that work will be due once you get back. So stop complaining and get everything done now. Then you will be able to enjoy your wonderful time with family and friends, gorging on all the traditional delicacies and giving thanks that your work is done.

Let the break be a break

By Gavin Kirkwood

Thanksgiving is the time for fattening food, awkward interactions with extended family, a time to be thankful and … homework? It is absurd for professors to assign homework over Thanksgiving break. It is one thing for students to take their own initiative to get ahead in schoolwork or catch up in their long term projects (I have a feeling most Biola students will be doing the latter), but to actually assign work that must be completed over the break is taking away the time off that burnt out students desperately need over a special holiday.

Just as professors shouldn’t make students work over Thanksgiving break, I as a student would not expect the Biola professors to grade projects or papers over their break. Some may think Thanksgiving break is long enough to justify having homework –– I would respond by saying our break is actually quite short. If we include the Thanksgiving weekend, we get 5 days off altogether. This is not very much time, especially for the students who have to set aside time to travel long distances home. In light of the fact that many other neighboring colleges get a week off for Thanksgiving break, it is not ideal for professors to assign work over break.

Let me enjoy my turkey, pumpkin pie and awkward conversations with my aunt while trying to remember what I’m thankful for without the stress of more assignments.