Augustana should implement four-day school week

Picture this: It’s Thursday afternoon, and instead of preparing for another day of classes after a stressful week of exams and presentations, students are packing up their bags, ready to enjoy a three-day weekend. Nice dream, right? But what if this could be a reality for universities across the nation? With benefits ranging from reduced burnout to increased productivity, a four-day academic week might be the refresher that students and faculty need. Let’s dive into why a four-day school week could be more than just a brain break: It could transform the college experience.

For many students on campus, academics can take a toll on their mental health. Students frequently have packed schedules filled with challenging exams and grueling homework each week. The material students have to learn is not just mentally taxing but physically taxing as well. Academics can interfere with sleep, cause poor eating habits and be mentally exhausting, which takes a toll on the body. Overworking can lead to burnout, which decreases students' work ethic. 

Kaylee Bowman, a professor at Sacred Heart University, writes in her article “Exploring the Advantages of a Four-Day School Week: Improving Learning, Wellness, and Work-Life Balance,” “A four-day school week would reduce stress, improve mental health and promote more downtime.” 

Bowman highlights how more free time could lead students to have more relaxation, better eating habits, and more room for extracurricular activities — ultimately improving student’s mental health and enhancing their focus in the classroom. 

Now, I know what you're thinking, but we're not just talking about an extra day to binge watch your favorite show on Netflix — even if it’s tempting. We're talking about a chance to breathe. Instead of cramming for three midterms and writing a paper all in one day, students would have the time to actually absorb the material. This would only improve their academic performance.

Besides improving students' well-being and academics, a four-day school week could also improve productivity. With an extra day off, students would have more time to catch up on work and study for exams without the pressure of balancing multiple classes in one day. 

“This extended break could enhance focus and instill a more efficient use of class time, as both students and faculty could commit themselves more fully to material without the exhaustion of a packed weekly schedule,” Bowman said. 

Students would also have more time to engage in their life outside of school. Colleges are supposed to be places of innovation and engagement. A four-day week opens up possibilities for more meaningful family time, community projects and even typical weekend plans. Students would be able to spend more time living their lives outside of school. This would be a great refresh for the minds that are exhausted. Think of the impact.

And let’s not forget the faculty: Teachers are people too. They deal with the same burnout issues as students. A refreshed professor is a more engaging professor, and that creates a better learning environment for everyone.

Although a change like this can be daunting, sometimes a little revamp is exactly what we need. We're not just talking about a shorter week: We're talking about a smarter, healthier and ultimately more fulfilling college experience. Imagine the effect it could have: happier students, more productive faculty and a campus buzzing with energy and creativity. 

A four-day week at Augustana would assist a variety of mental health issues as well as open doors for students to enjoy life outside of academics. Let's stop hitting the stop button on the idea and start thinking about a new era of education.