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Thursday and Friday: When midterm breaks were just two days

Back in the day, midterm breaks were just two days long— a Thursday and Friday. Students looked forward to this short escape from school, cramming in as much fun and relaxation as possible before di...

Published 30 Oct 2024

Students on School field. Photo Credit: Freepik

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Students on the School field. Photo Credit: Freepik

Back in the day, midterm breaks were just two days long— a Thursday and Friday. Students looked forward to this short escape from school, cramming in as much fun and relaxation as possible before diving back into the academic grind.
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Here are ten ways students used to spend those two days:
1. Late-night movie marathons
Students gathered with friends or family to binge-watch their favourite Nollywood films, laughing and shouting at the screen like part of the action.

READ ALSO: Why extracurricular activities is healthy for your child

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2. Sleep and sleep

Woman sleeping on bed in hotel room, close-up

The freedom to wake up late was a luxury, giving them a break from early morning routines and letting them enjoy a slower start to the day.
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3. Roaming about the Neighbourhood
Without the pressures of homework, students would roam the streets to see new spots, play games, or enjoy the sunshine.

4. Cooking as favourite female students

Satisfied smiling young black foster mother, babysitter, adult elder sister watching two small kids adopted son daughter, boy girl wards or younger siblings cooking vegetable dish

Satisfied smiling young black foster mother, babysitter, adult elder sister watching two small kids adopted son daughter, boy girl wards or younger siblings cooking vegetable dish. Midterm breaks were the perfect time to try out new recipes, experiment in the kitchen, and make family favourites.

Female students often try new ways to prepare local and international dishes.
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5. Hangouts with friends
Many used the break to meet up with friends at home or local hangouts for a good time and plenty of laughs.
Sports centres used to be a must-visit place for football lovers.

6. Family outings

Families often took advantage of these two days for short trips, visiting parks, and beaches, or taking brief road trips that created lifelong memories.

READ ALSO: Robotics, make-up, beekeeping, others make new basic school curriculum

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7. Catching up on hobbies

Some children painting their Jerry Cans

Students indulged in hobbies like cooking, baking, painting, dancing, or playing instruments, having the time without school stress.

8. Community functions
Many communities organised activities, from sports competitions to cultural events for students to participate in.
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9. Reading for book lovers
With academic pressures on pause, students dive into novels, comics, or magazines they’d meant to read.

10. Preparing for next term
Even with the fun, many students used the time to review notes or start new chapters, giving themselves a head start for when school resumed.
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Fast forward to today, and midterm breaks have transformed into a week-long affair.

Students now have the freedom to rest, gyrate, and pursue their interests without the ticking clock of a two-day limit.

On X, the conversation has been trending with reactions to this change.
Some posts celebrate the extra rest, while others talk about the old two-day tradition with nostalgia.
See reactions from X below:
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Musa Adekunle

Guardian Life

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