My fellow Opinion columnist Russell Bogue wrote his column last week in support of Friday classes. He argued that avoiding Friday classes for the sake of having a day off is wrongheaded, because the purpose of college is to learn as much as we can. Bogue also wrote that Friday classes prepare us for the five-day working world. While some of his points are valid, I offer a different perspective.
In his article Bogue wrote that most University students avoid Friday classes to have “more free time, more time to sleep, another night to have fun.” It is true; many students do avoid Friday classes so that they can go out on Thursday nights and begin the weekend festivities early. But while celebrating “Thirsty Thursdays” is one reason students avoid Friday classes, it is definitely not the only reason. Nor is it the reason for the majority of students.
Students without Friday classes are not all lazy or less “thirsty” for knowledge. On the contrary, they are busier during the week than most. Students without Friday classes usually pack their Mondays through Thursdays with discussions and classes, which leave them little time to sleep or relax. Therefore, Fridays present themselves as energy-boosters, as opportunities to sleep in and nourish their exhausted minds and bodies. You might make the argument that this is what Saturdays and Sundays are for. But if you are making this argument, you probably don’t go to U.Va. If you did, you would know how packed those two days are with extracurriculars, athletic events, Greek events, parties, brunches, religious services and a whole array of activities, including working out, which students rarely have time for during their busy weekdays. I have never once been able to sleep in on a Saturday or Sunday for those reasons listed.
Bogue also wrote that the reason for college is “to educate ourselves as much as possible.” And that is true; our parents are paying for our education and not for our social lives. But not having Friday classes does not detract from the quality of students’ schedules. Most students without Friday classes are still taking 15 credits and fulfilling the time commitment necessary to succeed in their classes. Students may not be in Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes, but there is no proof that those classes are any better than Tuesday-Thursday classes.
Finally, the idea that students should be preparing themselves for the working world is admirable. Yes, we will have to work five days a week for most jobs, so going to class five days a week could be beneficial. But it is not necessary. I worked Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for five weeks this summer. I was able to wake up each day and perform successfully, despite only having taken one 2 p.m. Friday class last semester. So while going to class five days a week and waking up early does mirror the working world, it does not necessarily help or harm students. We have the rest of our lives to work five-day weeks. So why start now?
I agree that some students without Friday classes waste their Fridays sleeping off hangovers and not doing any work, but this is not true for all students. Many use Fridays to rest from the busy four days of classes they just completed — four days filled with the usual 15 credits most students take over a five-day span. While not taking Friday classes may seem like a waste, it is actually beneficial to students’ health and provides students with the rest and relaxation they need to be able to function to the best of their abilities, and to be productive, active members of the University community while still completing 15 credits a semester.
Meredith Berger is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. Her columns run Mondays.
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