Dear slices of the education system, 

Yes. All of you. Colleges, K-12 education and anything else minutely “school-related” that makes like a (donkey) and butts its head into the holiday season festivities. You, like the toddler who stumbles into the family vase on Christmas Eve, all clumsy and oblivious, manage to break all you touch. 

To the colleges that decided upon three major application due dates: the day after Halloween, the day after Thanksgiving, and the days following Christmas. To the schools that decided finals aren’t enough – each class should also have some soul-sucking final project or otherwise ramp up the homework during the holiday season. 

I do not send this letter to change you. I send this letter as my official notice of resignation from the school-induced holiday anxiety. It’s not me, it’s you. 

Perhaps it’s time for a student revolution. We’ll still adhere to your deadlines. We’ll still do your work. But here’s to a guilt-free cup of hot chocolate in the evening, a frenzied day of Christmas shopping and songs of non-existent White Christmases because this California suburb is simply not that cool. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the barrage of work marching its way over our souls and sleep schedules, but a meaningful hour to remember it ‘tis the season to be jolly will not set us as far back as it seems.

It’s the time of finals, yes, but also the time of final goodbyes to classes we’ve adored or endured for the year. Perhaps we are thankful it is over. Perhaps we are sad to see it go, and thankful we had it in the first place.  Well, education system. If you’re the problem, maybe we can be the solution. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the season. 

Happy Holidays, 

Danielle Bennett