By Caitlyn Pray
Student Reporter
The week that everyone has been so long-awaiting for is finally here: it’s spring break!
For some, the semester may be wearing on and feeling like it will never end; for others, this halfway-point in the semester may come as a sort of shock that we are already here at this point already, but alas, whatever perception you may feel, the fact is the same: spring break is here!
Of course, everyone loves a good break from the regular grind. Whether you’re a student, professor, faculty or staff member, it’s good to get away from the work and dedication that Rangers must be committed to all the rest of the time of the semester.
“I think for this point of the year, it’s always a good time just to step back, re-energize and re-focus to finish out the year,” Dr. Bo Hannaford, vice president for academic affairs, said. “We always talk with faculty, staff and even administration after we get back from spring break, and it just seems like the semester is almost over, and it happens very quickly.
It won’t be too long and you guys will be preparing for finals, taking finals and graduating, so I think the timing is good just to get away, to re-charge the batteries and just kind of get ready for the last big push.”
Dr. Richmond Adams, assistant professor of English, shares Hannaford’s sentiment.
“As far as professors, as far as students, as far as administrators—we all realize we’re on the downhill slide at that point [after spring break],” Adams said. “It’s a matter then of finishing up in good order, fulfilling all of our obligations, but also looking forward to our time in the summer.”
For students also, spring break is a very relaxing time to unwind and take a breath before the final charge towards the end of the semester, as Caitlin Johnson, freshman nursing major, stated. “I think spring break is important for students because it gives them a time to not necessarily have to worry about school; it’s a time to take a break right after midterms before the second half of the semester starts, and it just gives them time to not have to stress,” Johnson said. “It also gives those who don’t live in Oklahoma the chance to go home for a week.”
Especially with the cold and icy weather that Northwestern has experienced within the past month, Hannaford said he thinks it is good and hopes that Rangers will have the chance to take safe journeys to warm, farther places they may have not been able to visit before.
So, with the consensus made that spring break is important for a variety of reasons, the question then arises: how are you going to spend your spring break to unwind and relax? The answers from those interviewed were just as various as their responses.
“We typically try to go see some family,” Hannaford said. “I have some family in Amarillo, and then I have a cousin of mine that is married to one of the top MMA fighters, and their training compound and where they live is in New Mexico, so we might actually go all the way to New Mexico and stay with them. They’ve just had a new baby so we’ll hopefully get to see the new baby. I always try to spend time with family and friends as much as we can during those breaks.”
Adams’ plans for the break also involve travelling and family, though in a far different direction. Adams and his wife spend gaps of time apart due to her teaching as a professor across the state, so Adams says the week of uninterrupted time together for the two of them is something he and she look forward to.
“We’re going to two small towns in east Texas that have some historical sites we’re wanting to visit and want to see,” Adams said.
“We’re both interested in history, so it will be fun to see that, but most of the time we’re just together, and that’s all that matters. Also, I’ll have one Sunday where I will not have my obligations in Okeene, where I’m a Bible vocational pastor at a church, and I’ll have a chance to worship in the pew with my wife which will be a nice and just a really enjoyable experience.”
During his week of break from his teaching schedule, Adams says he is also looking forward to reading articles not related to any class, travelling with his wife and possibly getting to sleep in a little. For Johnson, her plans don’t leave a break for her to catch her breath and begin with action the moment she gets out of her last class.
“Right now, my plans for spring break is the first Friday—literally the last day of class—I’m going to go to an OU gymnastics competition,” Johnson said. “I’m taking my little sister as a surprise because she’s a little gymnast, and then I’m going to see a Thunder game over spring break, and that’s really all I have planned as of right now.”
No matter your plans, destination or wherever the next week takes you, spring break will hopefully live up to its purpose in being a fun-filled, relaxing break before the semester wraps up.