Schools in some states have changed their school calendars so that they are not year-round schools. Advocates of year-round schooling argue that the traditional summer break is a waste of students’ time that could otherwise be spent learning. Opponents charge that today’s students are already overburdened with the stresses of school and need the summer to get a much-needed break. In your view, should the traditional three-month summer vacation from school be maintained?
In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
Three months of homework-free, stress-free, and ultimately school-free time for students should not be cancelled. The foremost reason of this is because many students that study well do so, looking forward to a time of relaxation. To take that time away would be to deprive them of their main motivation. Furthermore, pushing students beyond their attention spans or tiring them out with consistent study would be unproductive. An exhausted student won’t learn much. The third reason why students should have their summers off is because of summer activities. Whether on a farm or in a metropolis, most students have important summer plans. Nullifying a student’s vacation would result in less motivation, less productiveness, and interference with his personal life.
Most people work toward a goal. For Alexander the Great it was to conquer the world, for William Wallace, it was to achieve freedom, but for the average schoolboy, it may be simply to finish the school year and enjoy a well-earned rest. If the school worked year-round, it would obstruct this goal and, therefore, completely take away the desire to work. With no goal to work towards, what is the point in working at all? Being depleted of his main motivation, the common schoolboy may just give up or stop trying.
Productivity is another factor. The Russian aphorism states: “An overused horse will not pull a cart.” This means that when students (or horses) begin to wear out, they cease to be productive. While some students have more stamina than others, only the thought of constantly learning would despair most. Instead of cramming more knowledge into the students, the schools would only succeed in tiring them.
Finally, there is the problem of outside-school responsibilities. Students may use the summer to work, visit far-off relatives, help their parents, or take an international vacation. Year-round school hinders them from doing these things. Many summer activities boost the students’ social skills (such as summer camps) or help them learn a trade (such as a summer job) and blocking these opportunities deprives the students of valuable life lessons.
Students need the traditional three-month vacation. Without it, they would lose their motivation, productivity, and opportunities to grow outside the school. This vacation plan was established long ago and should be maintained to achieve maximum education levels. By all means, I support the students’ summer vacation.