Melanie DePriester
Staff Writer
As the academic landscape continuously evolves, I find myself grappling with a blend of anticipation and anxiety regarding the recent release of the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 academic calendars.
The decision to push back the start of classes by a week has left me questioning the motivations behind this change. While it may be an effort to synchronize Florida Southern with other colleges across the country, this shift feels like a mixed blessing for a family like mine that has multiple kids attending different college at the same time.
On the surface, starting the school year a week later might appear to be a dream come true. However, beneath that enticing prospect lies a very real source of stress: The clash of move-in dates with other institutions.
My twin attends Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University over in Daytona Beach. In the past, we were fortunate enough to have a week’s difference in our move-in times, allowing for a bit of breathing room between our transitions back to college life. But now that FSC’s start date has been slated for Aug. 26, a logistical nightmare has manifested itself, as Embry-Riddle’s move-in period falls on Aug. 25 this year. It’s hard not to feel anxious about how our family will balance moving both of us in.
I can vividly picture my parents shuttling between Lakeland and Daytona, attempting to make everything work smoothly, all the while managing both of our chaotic schedules. For other families in similar situations, navigating these overlapping dates could be even more intense, adding to a whirlwind of stress during what is already a hectic time.
Moreover, the adjustment of the winter break is another point of contention. Losing that precious extra week feels like a significant blow. That week often serves as a vital opportunity for recharging and reconnecting with loved ones while finally having a chance to unwind from the hectic pace of college life.
Personally, I always look forward to that time to relax, catch up with family and friends and rekindle those important connections. With these upcoming adjustments to the schedule, it feels as though we’re being deprived of that chance, which deeply impacts the balance I seek during the academic year.
Additionally, the change in the final exam schedule raises concerns. With finals now scheduled a week later than before, this alteration disrupts carefully laid travel plans. For students attending different colleges with conflicting academic schedules, it can lead to unnecessary stress and complications.
Picture this: you want to celebrate with family after finals, but instead, you’re left navigating conflicting dates and travel logistics. The prospect of disconnection during what should be a joyous and celebratory time is particularly frustrating and disheartening for those of us yearning for those meaningful family moments.
On a more positive note, I do appreciate that FSC has maintained a fall break in their calendar. Many institutions have eliminated such breaks altogether, so I am grateful that we still have that time off. In comparison, Embry-Riddle offers only a two-day fall break, which makes me all the more thankful that FSC prioritizes preserving that break for its students.
Nonetheless, it’s tough not to feel a lingering sense of loss and confusion over how these changes could contribute to our college experience being less balanced and more stressful.
