As freshmen, we’re relatively new to BC, but there’s one thing we’ve heard about repeatedly: senior skip day. Senior skip day is generally defined as a planned day where seniors collectively skip class to engage in fun activities outside of school. In addition, it usually occurs the day after a major event (ie; prom or homecoming). Given how widely recognized senior skip day is, there are inevitably many different viewpoints regarding the concept. Some students are avid supporters of the traditio while others choose not to participate. However, we would like to offer our opinion; engagement in senior skip day should not be reprimanded.

High school is definitely hard, and everyone needs a break sometimes. Senior year is no exception; the final year of high school is notoriously difficult due to the amount of stress and pressure seniors feel. From college applications to increased significance of grades, it is understandable that students need a break once in a while. Senior skip day provides the break they need, offering a chance for students to just relax and free themselves from the burdens of being a senior. 

But what exactly do seniors do on skip days? Well, that depends. Some students prefer to sleep in while others may choose to get together with friends. Whatever they decide, senior skip days are a perfect opportunity to pursue passions and hobbies that couldn’t be touched because of school. Having these opportunities is extremely important because free time becomes increasingly rare as students get older; college gets even busier and adulthood introduces a plethora of new responsibilities. Senior skip days should be allowed because they provide students with time to decompress and engage in personal interests. 

Lastly, senior skip day doesn’t inherently harm anyone. It is merely a long time tradition that many seniors do for fun. At the end of the day, only the students who choose to participate are affected. But after all, students are already expected to catch up on the schoolwork they miss, so as long as students are willing to take initiative and make up what they missed, senior skip day does not harm academic achievement as long as good attendance is maintained in the long term.

Through the last few decades, society has established a productivity culture of sorts. From early on, we are expected to constantly be doing something beneficial and important (ie; studying, working out). Self-improvement is great, yes, but mental health also needs to be prioritized, especially with regards to recent surges in mental health struggles and burnout. All in all, there are times when we all need to recharge in individual ways. Senior skip day, although heavily stigmatized, can achieve just that. For its many benefits, senior skip day should not be reprimanded, although in order to maintain academic performance, seniors still need to make up the schoolwork they miss. This way, we can continue to balance the obligations of school and life, which is a skill that will extend far beyond this stage of our lives.