High school is often described as one of the most exciting yet challenging and stressful times in a student’s life. With demands of academic excellence, extracurricular activities, part time jobs, and social needs, many students report feeling overwhelmed and consistently busy. When breaks like Thanksgiving, winter, or spring break roll around they’re often anticipated as a much-needed pause. But do high school students truly get a chance to recharge during these breaks, or are they still burdened by work and responsibilities?
For many high school students, breaks are not entirely free of academic work. Assignments, projects, and studying for upcoming exams are often carried over into what should be restful periods. While breaks are intended to give students time to relax, the reality is that homework, looming deadlines, and late work that needs to be turned in often turns them into a continuation of the school grind.
Advanced Placement (AP) and honors students tend to feel this pressure even more frequently. With rigorous courses demanding continuous effort, many students report spending their breaks catching up on readings, writing essays, or reviewing for exams. North Hollywood High school, School of Advanced Studies (SAS) junior Alonso Corado Chavez says “I left everything till Sunday to do because I wanted to enjoy my break, but it made me way more stressed. I didn’t have time since I was leaving town and getting back right before school started up again. It made it hard to keep up with the work I had been given over the break.”
Beyond academics, extracurricular activities also occupy a significant portion of students’ time during breaks. Athletes often have practices or games, musicians may need to rehearse for upcoming performances, and student leaders might spend their time planning events. While these activities are rewarding, they often leave little room for genuine relaxation.
This nonstop cycle can take a toll on students’ mental and physical health. Overwork leads to burnout, which can cause feelings of frustration, anxiety, and exhaustion. Breaks, in theory, are designed to help with this, but when students remain busy, the opportunity to de-stress is lost. Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Junior Ereny Khlil mentions “I think, most of the time, I’m catching up on assignments or notes. It’s definitely a lot of work to balance a social life and maintain my grades.”
Some students and schools are beginning to recognize the need for true breaks. A few districts have adopted “no homework over break” policies to give students a real chance to rest. In these schools, students are encouraged to truly take time off, spend time with their families, and engage in activities that help them recharge.
Additionally, students are learning to advocate for their well-being by setting boundaries, such as dedicating specific days to leisure activities and family time. SAS junior Victoria Revekko explains “I set myself a schedule so I can do it half the time and…also be free and have a break. My first few days were mostly working ones and the last were resting. I was also studying every single day of the break for an upcoming test little by little each day.”
Beyond the individual level, creating a culture that prioritizes rest and mental health is essential for helping students manage their workload and avoid burnout. High school students are balancing many responsibilities, and while breaks should offer a chance to rejuvenate, many feel that their downtime is overrun by obligation.
Home Engineering Academy (HEA) junior Justin Rivas states “I find it harder to keep up with school now that I have a job since I work long hour shifts very often, it gives me less time to study and less time to relax during both the break and regular school days.”
While breaks are meant to be a time for relaxation, many high school students feel that they don’t offer a complete respite from their responsibilities. Between academic obligations and extracurricular activities, the time to truly rest can feel lost. Creating a culture that prioritizes rest and mental health is essential for helping students manage their workload and avoid burnout.
After all, a break should feel like a break, not just a lighter version of the same routine. By focusing more on how students can actually benefit from their time off, whether it’s through more sleep, family time, or engaging in hobbies, a break can actually start to feel like a break.
