No Time for Change

About this time of year, it becomes fashionable to trash Harvard's admittedly old-fashioned schedule. In the midst of long finals and lengthy papers, weary students bemoan an irregular academic calendar that imposes exam period after winter break. But there are many underappreciated facets of the schedule that benefit undergraduates, and few reasons to change--other than mere conformity.

As everyone knows, under the current schedule, there are no classes in January. And, as the calendar stands, Harvard students get two winter breaks: the official one in December (which includes part of reading period because no one actually comes back for the first few days), and then intercession after exams are over.

Yet some would rashly trade this sweet setup for one longer, all-encompassing break between semesters. By having exams in December, a few students say, students would be free from stress over vacation and have a better opportunity to reconnect with long-lost high school friends.

But these arguments target the wrong problem. The reason that Harvard students perpetually worry about their exams and papers over winter break has nothing to do with the academic schedule. Undergraduates shouldn't give a second thought to tests over winter break; all the exams are at least two weeks away. When people do feel stressed, it is more a function of the ultra-competitive and ultra-stressful Harvard atmosphere than the schedule itself. If students put things in perspective, they would forget about exams over winter break and study when they got back to school.

As for visiting friends, everyone is home over Harvard's winter break. But if that's not enough time, then invite friends to come see you during reading period. Without classes or tests, it is an ideal time for visitors. And intercession offers a perfect opportunity to return the favor and travel to see high school buddies at their colleges.

In addition, pushing exams before reading period would mean starting school much earlier, viciously cutting down a summer that already seems far too short. True, the year might end earlier--but only by a couple weeks, if that. And as it stands, Harvard's year doesn't end late--by any stretch of the imagination. Everyone here is done with finals before June, leaving plenty of time to pursue high-powered internships.

So, don't blame the schedule for stress over exams--they have to happen sometime, and they're going to be difficult whenever they occur. Sit back and relax over winter break; enjoy spending valuable time with family. Then, when old friends snicker that you are going back to school so early, let them know that you were considering visiting them during your week-long break at the end of January. That is, before you made plans to party in the Caribbean instead.

--David M. DeBartolo