By: Lillian Uy ’23, Staff Writer

Many St. John Fisher College students have mixed feelings about being back on campus earlier than other schools in the area and while still in the midst of a pandemic.

For Fisher, the spring semester began on January 10 — giving students a three-week winter break, instead of the usual four weeks. 

“I was not a fan of the length of the break because the break was short,” said Mary Trabert, a junior nursing student. “And going into a busy semester did not feel that I got sufficient time off”. 

While Sarah Storsberg, a senior marketing student disagrees,  “I liked coming back earlier than other colleges because I was excited to be back on campus with friends, and be in classes again.” 

Although Fisher decided to shorten the break and start earlier, other surrounding schools didn’t seem to take the same approach. This includes Nazareth which began its semester on January 17, Lemoyne started on the 23, and Syracuse University did not begin its spring semester until January 24th. 

 Many students also found problems coming back concerning COVID-19. Students that tested positive for the virus after the New Year did not have enough time to quarantine between the time of exposure and coming to campus for the first day.

“I wish that the break was longer because I contracted COVID-19 during break and was unable to spend time relaxing and skiing with friends,” said nursing student Alyssa Greene.

“Once I was feeling better I immediately had to go back to school because of the early start date which was frustrating.” While some students were frustrated with the early start date of the spring semester, others are relieved that the first couple of weeks has been accomplished. 

According to US News, Here are some tips to be successful this semester: 

• Take control of your education and claim responsibility
• Study, and remember 1 hour of lecture in class equals 2 hours of studying outside of class
• Answer questions exactly how they are asked on exams and homework
• Pursue a passion and tie your classwork into your intellectual passions, and gifts.
• Keep in touch with your professor and TAs by going to office hours; they are required to hold 2 meetings per week with students