As many students have found out by now, Eastern has begun the second week of the spring semester at the same time that many of the neighboring institutions are starting their first week back from winter break.

Other students at neighboring schools had an extra week for break and were eased back into their academic routine with a shorter work week after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Eastern students did not have that simple luxury other institutions bestowed to their own students, which left many wondering why the academic calendars were not similar.

Although this is not a life-threatening situation, only having a three-week-long break compared to the usual four to five week break between semesters makes a big difference.

Having about a month off leaves a comfortable cushion of time before and after the holidays, and gives students and even faculty and staff the ability to mentally and physically prepare for the upcoming semester.

Additionally, many people were still recovering from seasonal illnesses and returned to campus still sick.

This shorter break also cuts into potential time for working, family and traveling, let alone having to prepare for holidays.

Despite the fact that classes let out nearly two weeks earlier for summer break compared to other schools, it does not make up for the seemingly rushed start-up immediately after the new year, especially having a long weekend right after being back.

Deviating from normal holiday breaks are common in Eastern’s academic calendar. Once again, unlike other universities having a Monday off in observance of President’s Day, Eastern will be having no class on Friday of that week, even when many students do not have Friday classes.

It is understandable to consider things like athletic and academic calendars  attempting to fit as much into a semester as possible,  while trying to accommodate both the student and faculty.

This does not explain the oddly placed days off and certainly does not explain why the winter break was unusually short for a university academic calendar.