We’re tired.

Physically, mentally, emotionally, we’re done. The homework is piling up, we’re falling behind on reading and, unfortunately, we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel just yet. Life may not be a Kit Kat bar, but it’s time to give us a break.

Eleven weeks is a long time to go without a break. By the time midterms come around, you can see a change in the way students are handling school. More students miss class, fewer students participate and we’re all just counting down the days until we can’t feel the pain of school anymore.

The majority of other public universities in Michigan have established fall breaks in order to break up the time from the beginning of classes to Thanksgiving Break, but Grand Valley State University is one of the few that has not. This is not only a missed opportunity for a much-needed break, but also a disservice to the educational quality of our students’ education.

However, the focus of the university should not only be on educational success. College students today are experiencing some of the greatest levels of stress in history. The mental health of students should also be a top-shelf priority. When students get overwhelmed, it’s much easier for other stresses to pile on. Sometimes, a break from homework and a trip home to see mom and dad to lessen those stresses a bit is all a student needs to recharge.

Though we understand there are obstacles in the way of implementing a campus-wide break, administrators need to be looking at the overall student population and how a break would benefit the majority of Lakers. Other schools are doing it, students have the support of administrators and members of our student senate. It’s time to bite the bullet and make the change.

It is understandable that the university may be reluctant to change the entire academic calendar around for a break, but we have to think about the pros and cons in this situation. Yes, it may be a hassle to rearrange a semester around, but it would ultimately lead to students feeling better about their academics and their mental health.

A fall break is a few years in the making, so in the meantime, we should be stressing the importance of the fall breather. Students need this opportunity to relax and decompress. No, it isn’t because we want to be lazy; it is because taking up to 18 credit hours while, most likely, trying to have a job and stay healthy, physically and mentally, and still have a friend group is no easy feat.

At GVSU, we are lucky enough to have administrators who are focused on student success. Now, it is time for these key players to step it up and put the physical and mental well-being of students first.