THE REVIEW’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING CALLS FOR ACADEMIC/HEALTH BREAK OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

Welcome to the new normal, where everything seems not so typical but helping us keep going on.

The pandemic has brought countless challenges and enormous changes within our lives. We had no choice but to leave what we are used to behind and start coping with things we did not imagine will be used for everyday survival.

We are still in the phase of adjusting, and it must be stressful and frustrating on the side of teachers/instructors/professors and the students.

The first week of class must be the most challenging time aside from the arrival of exam week. Familiarization is considered the factor that holds everyone to communicate effectively. Students probably spent a week exploring Canvas’s features as it is the new platform to hold classes online. Moreover, of course, teachers were troubled adjusting to the platform needed to impart their knowledge to their students, considering some might not be tech-savvy.

It has been a month, and it seems like everyone is at their wit’s end. This situation is energy-consuming. Very exhausting. It has been a month, but it feels like it has been half a year.

Time to reset the unhealthy routine is what we need. Time to somehow decrease the level of stress and to cut some slack a bit. Time to have our backs rest from doing all the modules, so do with teachers making and uploading those modules or assignments—moreover, time to have our eyes rest from staying too long in our mobile phones or laptops.

We need to stay away for-awhile from worries and stress that taking a toll on our health. The time wherein we are not worrying about our internet connection, uploading the modules and submitting assignments, as well as being unable to enter the virtual class.

A worry-free time is what we are trying to ask to rest our mind and regain a healthy status for our mental and physical health.

Yes, we are crying for Academic Break. Not just for the students but as well as for the teachers. Not to procrastinate but lay back a bit to rejuvenate ourselves.

We respectfully ask the administration to hear the appeal of the students. As the official student publication of Northwestern University, we will continue to amplify our voices for the students’ rights and welfare.

Graphic Art by Clark Justine A. Galiza – BS Architecture III