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"Exams, Essays, and Froyo: How Senior Grind Took Over Break" by Beom Woo Eun

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“I thought break would be a time for rest, but it was just more time studying for the SAT,” said Ethan Cheam (12), laughing on his first day back.

While most Dalat students spent their mid-semester break traveling or catching up on sleep, many seniors had an experience far from restful. Instead of enjoying the bits of freedom to their fullest, they found themselves drafting essays, reviewing applications, and preparing for exams. For some, the week off from classes just meant a toxic mix of writer’s block, caffeine, and stress.

Mid-October is a crucial period for first-year college applicants, as early action and early decision deadlines approach while regular decision applications begin to pile up. Although I had four more universities to complete applications for (12 supplemental essays in total), I was already struggling to keep up with the pace even before break started. Multiple unit tests planned before wrapping up Quarter 1 meant there wasn’t a single free day before jumping right into essays.

Regardless of the lack of leisure, the break began its course. At first, every day operated under a fixed routine. There was no spontaneity, only room for lunch, dinner, and essays, infused with a constant supply of caffeine to keep it going (no breakfast because I woke up late). Despite seeming like a good plan to keep everything in check, it soon fell apart. Quickly losing sense of time, I became inefficient at performing the redundant work, spending hours sitting at my desk without significant progress.

So I decided that it was time for a small change. Walking out at 8:00 p.m. on October 14th, I visited Fruuze to try some frozen yogurt with toppings. Plopping down on a bench after getting a small-sized yogurt with marshmallow and rainbow sprinkles, I had some time away from all the academic whirlpool to think about how I was spending my day. Although it originally felt like a minuscule change to my lifestyle, getting some fresh air and changing my surroundings significantly helped with getting a grip, and I soon adopted strolling out into the night to enjoy a cup of yogurt.

Amidst the grind, others like Lee Yan Tan (12) also found small ways to unwind between brainstorming sessions and essay rewrites. “I would talk to people close to me who could give insight and honest feedback about my essay. Their input helped me view my essay in a new light,” she said. 

Looking back, it definitely wasn’t the most relaxing break in my high school years, but it was definitely a meaningful one filled with purpose, getting ready to move on to the next stage of life. Even during the busiest moments, there was always room for small joys like a new yogurt topping combo. Perhaps this is what senior year is supposed to be like.

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