Mark Blevins: Spring break take me away

by MARK BLEVINS
columnist

Marshall University's spring break is almost here and I, for one, can hardly wait. A week away from lectures, tests, and term papers is something I've needed since January 15. The only downside to spring break is that teachers seem to feel a need to cram two weeks' worth of tests into one. We won't be here next week to take the tests and by the time we come back we will have forgotten everything. Knowing this, professors try to get all the tests out of the way so we can enjoy our break. I think.

I have three tests this week, all of them major. I have two of them on the same day. I'm not whining because I know some people have it worse than I do this week. I guess one could think of this as punishment for being away from school an entire week. Someone once suggested to me that the professors all conspire to give their students tests at the same time, but I don't think so.

The real reason is coincidence. Teachers have a schedule to go by and they try to space the tests out and it just so happens that these professors think alike. Besides students have to be kept on their toes the week before a break or they'll start to think it's spring break and won't come to class. Students might begin to think that the weather is too nice out to go to class and thus, professors are forced to have exams and tests the week before any break.

I always love the thought of spring break, but when it actually comes around it's not so good. I'm always trying to figure out where I can make some money during the summer. That means I'm usually racking up miles on my car trying to convince employers I'm actually a responsible young man. As long as I haven't worked there in the past, my plan usually works.

It's the same story this break too. I'll go home and have a couple days with nothing to do and then I'll hop in my car and drive all around trying to find a job. It's a vicious circle, but my spring breaks always turn out the same. It's better than having to study, though because for one week I don't have to worry about term papers, exams, or those pop quizzes that sadists, I mean professors, sometimes like to give.

So, I have to hurry and try to get in as much studying as I can. I wouldn't want to go home after flunking a test. And after I get home I can spend hours driving around looking for a job and hoping my reputation does not precede me.

Like I said, I would still rather be driving around job hunting than working on a term paper. Spring break is a great time of year and the only bad thing about it is, like most good things, it has to come to an end.