Marist’s Mid Semester Break Returns

Photo by Jake Lorefice on Unsplash

This past Friday, Marist College was officially able to bring back mid semester break by giving students a Friday off in the month of October. Last Fall students were forced to stay on campus until the semester ended due to COVID-19. 

With only having one Friday off it may not seem to be much of a break, but students across campus are happily accepting the return of mid semester break. This break offers a chance for students to go back home and regroup before the last 8 weeks of the semester resume. Students are not obligated to go home as Marist still offers housing for students on campus. 

Mid semester break during the fall semester is not a common theme around other colleges across the United States. So why does Marist offer a one day break for their students? There are many answers to this question but one clear reason is because of midterms. Midterms are key to many classes here at Marist, students study and work hard to be prepared for these exams. Marist allowing this small break after midterms allows students to regroup and prepare for the second half of the semester. 

While many students here at Marist do live in the Tri-state area, there are still many students who may not have the opportunity to go home during this 3 day break. There are many ways these students can spend their time during this small break if you are still here in Poughkeepsie. 

One idea is going pumpkin picking at Dubois Farm that gives a variety of activities for families and friends. Dubois Farm which is located right across the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Highland, New York is a very popular thing students here at Marist attend during the fall season. DuBois Farms is a picturesque farm that offers the chance to pick out  apples, pumpkins and many more selections. They also offer lunch, a bakery, farm animals, pony rides, corn maze and countless activities for friends to partake in. This could be a great way to spend your Friday off after a long week of midterms. The farm may not interest some students, but is a great opportunity to enjoy the fall weather and outdoors before the cold weather abrews here in Poughkeepsie. 

There are many alternative ways to spend your mid semester break, but being that this break is only 3 days students may just simply relax and enjoy their Friday off. Students should simply take advantage of this small break that Marist offers, to benefit themselves in the later half of the semester.