Every Minnesotan child can remember waking up early in the morning being surprised by the large amounts of snow and the news that school had been closed. Faces would light up with the news, and children would play outside and drink hot cocoa all day instead of attending school. Snow days were every kid’s dream. Now, with online learning and the new programs used for distance learning, schools no longer have an incentive to close down schools in the event of extreme weather. Students now will have school everyday they’re meant to whether it’s in-person or online. This may come as sad news to many as those extra days off will never happen in a COVID-19 world. In addition to snow days, students will have less and less sick days as they still learn from home if they’re sick. Though some illnesses may cause students to refrain from joining classes, most may be considered okay to join classes with.

Snow days normally provide a day where students and faculty can take a break from their busy lives. Weather isn’t something that can be changed, so when a snow day occurs, everyone has a day to themselves to stay away from work or school. This can mean people stay home and catch up on work, sleep in, or enjoy the snow. As Good Therapy defines, snow days act as a day people can’t control. Mother Nature acts on her own; there is no one to blame for a day off. It isn’t because of an illness or because of a family problem. Faultless days like these are essential for students. For many, snow days are the best part of winter. There is a common experience of constantly checking the weather during a snowstorm the night before a school day in hope of a snow day being called. Everyone looks forward to a day to miss school or work and enjoy the day for themselves.

Days off like these can serve as mental health days for students. Mental health days should be taken by students as a day to relax and recharge before continuing their lives. It’s a day for students to de-stress and focus on themselves rather than school, work or homework. Snow days can act as a time for students to unwind and relax whether they need it or not. Distance learning removes this opportunity and day for students to take a break from school, which can have consequences on their mental health and well being. Though losing snow days isn’t the worst thing in the world, it’s always nice to have the glimmering hope or satisfaction of a day off.