Though there is no doubt that this first week of Spring semester has been quite a change of pace from our restful lives over winter break, was it difficult for the UW-La Crosse community to transition back to our academic mind set after a month long break or was the rest well needed to ensure our success this term?   

This year's J-term was exactly 31 days long, and it is reasonable to say that we all got a chance to rest our hard working brains after a long semester of learning and studying.  I can say with certainty that I enjoyed the time off and came back with a fresh mind set and eagerness to learn. When asked if the J-term was too long and boring, members of the UW-L community tended to agree with me. "I believe the long winter break between semesters is rejuvenating for most UW-L faculty, staff, and students. The longer break also allows the UW-L community to pursue some other projects that might not happen in a shorter break: taking J-term classes, attending conferences and doing research, traveling to see family or to pursue educational goals, and winding down from the busy Fall term," said Dr. Mohlenhoff-Baggett, a UW-L professor. As adults, we do have busy lives and, although our educations are of primary importance, we do have other responsibilities and activities we need to tend to;  J-term allowed us to accomplish that.  

Freshman Cady Kocher put good use to her break, instead of sitting at home to let the boredom seep in. "I did a lot of volunteering over break so I wasn't bored, but I imagine if people didn't have something to do they would get bored." Although Kocher put her time to good use, many students found themselves being bored and ready to return.  "Coming back to school was easy because I was bored and I wanted to be back.  The transition back to school and classes was not hard because I wanted to be here and I wanted to start my new classes," said Megan Zaic, a UW-L student.  So, it seems to me that the length of break is perfect for the hard working students to rejuvenate the mind and take time for other aspects of life, which is not always a bad thing. Either way, we all come back rested and ready for another semester on our wonderful campus. Certainly, we won't succumb to boredom with all we have to do for this semester.  Have a great start to Spring semester here in La Crosse!