Every fall semester, K-State students receive one day off from classes, in lieu of a fall break.

According to K-State Today, the intention behind Wildcat Pause Day is to cultivate “a culture centered on well-being and supporting the health of” those at K-State.

This “pause” is necessary for our campus and greatly improves student and employee well-being.

Right around the halfway point in the semester is when cortisol levels are high, and sleep is low. The workload starts to get unmanageable, midterms creep in and socialization is more difficult because of packed schedules.

Not to mention the physical and mental burnout that comes with being a college student. Late nights studying, finding time for friends or the gym and the need to pick up shifts to make money. We’re already pouring from an empty cup!

Wildcat Pause Day is one of the best resources we’ve received as students. Getting the opportunity to have a completely free day when all classes and university activities are cancelled grants us the ability to actually reset, recharge and take a step back from school.

Lots of students say Pause Day was one of the only days this semester they’ve gotten to sleep in. How you perform academically, socially, mentally and physically running off five hours of sleep versus 10 is a huge difference and really impacts your day-to-day.

Plenty of students went home to see their families, which some hadn’t done since they left for school back in August. Taking a weekend trip with friends and exploring a new place is also a common use for the day off.

No matter how you chose to spend your Pause Day, the best part is that it was completely up to you! Hopefully what you chose improved your mental health and gave you a much-needed break from school.