Many USC students are planning to stay close to campus for this year’s fall break, despite not having to attend any classes from Oct. 12-15.
Fall break, a four-day weekend that was first worked into USC’s academic calendar for 2019′s fall semester, gives students the opportunity to step away from academics for a period of time shorter than spring break yet longer than a typical weekend. The long weekend usually lands around the eighth week of the fall semester, right around midterms.
With four days off from school, there are a plethora of options for students who either want or need something to do.
For some students, fall break simply means staying put. Jennie Duong, a junior studying engineering, said she might just end up staying in her apartment and “chilling.”
“Trying to road trip, but I’m broke,” she said. “I’m actually on the verge of burning out, so I’m really glad that this break is coming up. I’m studying engineering, I have a job, I have a lot of extracurriculars I’m doing. It’s just hard to find time for yourself.”
William Chen, a sophomore studying biochemistry, said, “I’m doing absolutely nothing. I’m gonna sit at home and finish my homework that is overdue.”
Other students, alongside their friends and significant others, are using the recess as a way of exploring the many activities, events and places that Los Angeles has to offer.
“One of my really good friends actually goes to LMU so I’m gonna hang out with her tomorrow,” said Alison Mitchell, a freshman double-majoring in theater and Spanish.
“Probably grab dinner together, go to the beach, watch a movie, and then catch up on homework and then explore L.A. because I’m not from here, and so I’m definitely going to take the opportunity to go see the sights and hang out with friends and enjoy the nice weather.”
Joon Chun, a mechanical engineering major, has a couple of plans in mind:
“Going to be hanging out with my girlfriend and some of my other friends. Might head up the beach and go to Little Tokyo. Yeah, there’s a few hidden spots. I’m not going to tell because I’m kind of gatekeeping.”
Journalism major, Alexander Song, said, “I have a friend who’s over from New York. So I’m just spending my fall break with her and we’re just hitting up a bunch of food spots in L.A. There’s been a lot of things that she’s been wanting to eat in L.A. because New York is expensive.”
In a statement released on May 2, 2018, that announced that the inaugural fall break would take place in the following fall semester, Michael W. Quick, the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, said “I am pleased to announce that we will institute a two-day recess in the fall academic calendar, as part of our ongoing efforts to support wellness and to promote an environment that provides the best opportunities for success at USC.”