Fall Break: First-Years’ Thoughts

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Fall break for Penn State University will take place from Sunday, Nov. 19 to Saturday, Nov. 25.

On-campus housing will close at 10 a.m. on Nov. 19 and will reopen at 10 a.m. on Nov. 26.

This is the first break for first-year students of their college career and for many, the first time they will be leaving the dorms to go back home.

This is especially true for students who live in other parts of the country or world and cannot go home for random weekends throughout the semester.

First-year accelerated pre-med student, Clara Chen, said “It’s a lot of excitement. Obviously, I’m going to miss all of the friends that I’ve made here at college, but since I live in California, and Pennsylvania is across the country, it’s hard to stay in contact with your family. Especially because school is so busy, so being able to be around them is a gain.”

The excitement is not exclusive to students who have not been home yet. First-years who have already made the trip back home this semester are also ready for the break and are enthusiastic about seeing their family, friends and pets.

Fall break will also be used by many as a time to simply relax and recharge before the final weeks of the semester and ultimately final exams.

“I feel like this week and a half roughly that we get gives you some time to go home and give yourself a break before, as a first-year, what would be your first finals.” Colin Connors, a first-year studying film, said.

Following fall break, there will be two weeks of classes before final exams start on Dec. 11.

For more information about fall break and housing closures across campus, visit https://liveon.psu.edu/university-park/event/fall-break-2023-university-housing-closedown

Hannah Fredrich is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email hrf5140@psu.edu.