High School Students Skipping Summer Vacation Breaks
Over 40% of the Senior Class to Remain Educationally Engaged Beyond Traditional School Days in May
Let's talk about a surprising revelation: a significant number of high school students are not taking a well-deserved break during summer holidays. Skysmart school, an online pollster, questioned over 1200 students from major Russian cities, and the results were eye-opening.
More than one-third (34%) of high schoolers plan to dedicate their vacation to chilling with friends, and 25% aim to spend quality time with family. However, a surprising 41% of students aren't setting aside their books, with 16% deciding to focus on studies and the rest opting for a mix of work and relaxation.
When questioned about their holiday plans, 44% indicated they would stay in the city, while about the same number (41%) were planning trips: 22% headed for the countryside, and 19% to distant lands.
This trend isn't entirely new. In 2025, during the New Year holidays, many students continued their studies, usually working with tutors for approximately two hours a day. Education experts warn against this practice, emphasizing the significance of breaks to nurture mental and physical health and boost learning efficiency. In contrast, intense studying during weekends and holidays reduces motivation, as highlighted in a study by scientists from Cornell University.
The experts advise high school students, even during stressful examination periods, to make time for rest, exercise, and socializing with loved ones. Taking breaks isn't just about rejuvenating; it's crucial for students to explore their interests, build social connections, and develop a diverse skill set.
Neglecting to take breaks can lead to potential consequences. Students may suffer from burnout, decreased productivity, mental health issues, and even a loss of creativity and inspiration. Rest periods during holidays play a vital role in maintaining physical and mental health, personal growth, and ensuring a successful return to academics. So, make sure to take that well-deserved break, high schoolers!
The Importance of Holiday Breaks
- Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Holiday breaks provide students with the much-needed downtime to rejuvenate their minds and bodies. Overworking without breaks can cause increased stress levels, negatively impacting academic performance and overall well-being.
- Health and Safety: During extreme weather conditions, holiday breaks help minimize health risks such as dehydration and heat strokes.
- Personal Development and Hobbies: Holidays offer students the chance to engage in extracurricular activities, cultivate hobbies, and explore interests outside academia, fostering personal growth and diverse skill sets.
- Social and Emotional Well-being: Holidays grant students opportunities to bond with family and friends, nurturing social connections and emotional balance.
Potential Downsides of Continuous Studying
- Burnout: Persistent studying without breaks can result in burnout, reducing motivation and interest in academic work.
- Decreased Productivity: Overstudying during breaks can lead to decreased productivity when returning to school, as students may feel exhausted and less focused.
- Mental Health Impact: Long periods of intensive study without relaxation can have adverse effects on mental health, including increased anxiety and depression.
- Creativity Loss: Continuous studying can stifle creativity and inspiration, which often stem from experiencing different environments and situations during breaks.
- Some students may not realize the importance of taking a break during holiday seasons, such as summer vacations, as revealed by Skysmart school's poll.
- In contrast to relaxing or spending time with family, 41% of high school students plan to continue studying during their summer holidays, potentially leading to increased stress and potential burnout.
- Education experts advise students not to neglect holiday breaks, as they play a significant role in nurturing mental and physical health, personal growth, and learning efficiency, as shown in the study by scientists from Cornell University.
- Instead of avoiding breaks, students should use their holiday time to rejuvenate, explore interests, build social connections, and ensure a successful return to academics, as part of education-and-self-development and learning.
