By this time of year, students are exhausted. The culmination of midterms, cold weather and a disciplined routine spell weariness over many. The solution to this dilemma is simple: a monthly wellness day.

Wellness days encapsulate time with no class and no newly assigned work. Although they only last one day each, wellness days allow students to finally catch their breath from college life’s hectic pace. Students can work on academic assignments, allow time for social plans, work out, organize their living space or communicate with friends and family from home. They can even just sit and watch a movie on Netflix. Unfortunately, students are always on the go, so true relaxation is rarely achieved but much needed.

For students, feelings of stress are extremely prevalent. Syracuse University freshman Carly Grafstein expressed her support for wellness days. “I get overwhelmed very easily and sometimes just need a break to put myself back together. It’s hard to find downtime in college, and I feel that it is essential for students to have a day where they can just catch up with themselves academically and personally,” Grafstein said.

Multiple universities offer wellness days. At Columbia University, for example, wellness days include a series of events and workshops focused on supporting students’ mental health and well-being. This allows students to both catch up on schoolwork and receive the help they need to allow for clear mind space, enabling them to gain stronger focus for the rest of the week.

Andrew Kahn, a student at the University of Colorado Boulder, is similarly passionate about the importance of wellness days. “Yes, I live right next to the mountains and could go skiing or on a hike during the wellness day, but I honestly just use it to relax and focus on myself,” Kahn said.

SU students could go into town and partake in a leisurely activity or spend the day lying in bed and catching up on work. No matter where you are in the country or what activities you have access to, having allotted time to rest is equally important.

Wellness days are also more necessary than ever due to the impact of COVID-19. According to the University of California, Los Angeles‘ Center for the Developing Adolescent, opportunities for self-care are especially important during the pandemic, as “mental health issues including anxiety and depression seem to have increased for many adolescents.”

The care that SU has for its students is unquestionable, however, due to these new circumstances, the university needs to consider students’ already diminishing mental health. A monthly wellness day is an ideal time span. It allows for a break in the midst of stressful weeks but isn’t enough to lose valuable class time. Additionally, the wellness days could switch off between weekdays, ensuring equal class instruction time.

A monthly wellness day is not a lot to ask for. Its benefits are numerous, and its implementation will undoubtedly strengthen the student body. One day would make all of the difference.

Hannah Karlin is a freshman English major. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at hekarlin@syr.edu.

Published on March 7, 2022 at 10:32 pm