One of the more civilized elements of modern university life is reading week.
For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it denotes a week, usually in February, when universities hold no classes. Students have a chance to study for midterms and write their papers, while profs get caught up on grading and look back into that research project neglected since Christmas.
Or you can go on vacation. Or set a new high score on Final Mortal Halo Carjacking VII — or whatever the kids do with their free time these days.
Myself, I’m grading papers and catching up on other tasks. Blogging, for instance. But I have no resentment for those who have toddled off to Cuba or Vancouver or their basements. That’s what’s so grand about reading week. In the darkest, coldest, hardest time of the year comes a week for you to get back on track — however you want.