Proposals to extend the weekend to include Friday offer significant benefits, especially in terms of mental health and productivity. Pierce College should change scheduling to minimize Friday classes, allowing students to have three-day weekends.
A primary benefit of a three-day weekend is its positive impact on mental health. According to an article in the Daily Tar Heel, “Friday classes are bad for mental health” because they often lead to increased stress and fatigue. The article highlights that students face significant challenges in balancing academic demands with their personal lives, leading to a heightened risk of burnout. Extending the weekend to include Friday could relieve some of these pressures, allowing students a lot of time to relax and recover.
According to an article in Neuroscience News, having a three-day weekend can “improve sleep duration, increase physical activity and was associated with overall healthier behaviors.”
A longer weekend provides students with additional time to manage stress, engage in leisure activities and maintain a healthier work and life balance. This extra day off could be crucial in reducing the mental strain associated with a compressed academic schedule.
Three-day weekends can lead to “increased daily movement, less time sitting and improved sleep,” according to an article in the Orange County Register.
Having an extra day off can lead to improved efficiency and job satisfaction. Students are better able to manage their personal and professional responsibilities when they have sufficient time to recharge.
Incorporating Fridays into the weekend offers clear benefits improved mental, spiritual and physical health and increased productivity. By extending the weekend, Pierce can create a more balanced and effective approach to both work and academic life. The potential impact of this change is positive, making it a compelling consideration for future schedule reforms.