LETHBRIDGE — Students at the University of Lethbridge will get an additional break from the pressure of post-secondary life.
According to Dr. Judith Lapadat, Associate Vice-President (students) with the university, the fall break initiative is currently used at a number of Canadian universities as a way to ease academic stress.
“We are very, very excited to introduce a fall break for our students beginning Fall 2016. This is something we have been working on for quite a while. We know that it’s very important for students’ wellness.”
Seventy-three per cent of students at the U of L move to Lethbridge for school.
“Preliminary research shows that it’s of tremendous benefit to students, to their success – particularly first year students who are away from home for the first time,” Lapadat added.
The fall break will focus on making student mental health a priority.
“We are always concerned about our physical health, but our mental health is just as important,” Student Association President Brenna Scott said, “to see where we are at in the semester, not being afraid to ask for help, being afraid to have time off and that’s what this week’s about: the chance to relax, recuperate, see where you are in your studies.”
“It’s been in the works for a few years, but the fact that we are able to have it pushed through this year is really great,” Scott added. “We had so much support from students, undergraduate, the university, admin – it was really a group effort.”
Lapadat said the added days off won’t mean students have to crunch a week’s worth of work into an already packed schedule.
“Every faculty worked really hard to find a solution that would work with the curriculum in their areas that would make sure students truly had the opportunity for a break.”
Students will be out of class from Nov. 7-10, including Remembrance Day.
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