As students left the hallways on last Wednesday, both spring break and the final marking period of the school year began. While some embark on a long-earned vacation, others find themselves staying in New York, preparing for the AP exams that will follow a few weeks after spring break ends.

“I’m mostly going to hang out with my friends if I am going out or will just be staying home, studying and preparing for AP season or Regents or upcoming tests,” said sophomore Christine Chen. 

Similarly, sophomore Tajrian Noor said she is “just going to work on AP World [studying], locking in for AP World because the test is in a month.”

The first week of May consists of testing for AP Biology, AP English Literature, AP World History, AP US History, and more.

In addition to seeing friends over the break when out, junior Aki Benjamin responded with only one word when describing what he plans to do when home: “Homework.” 

Freshman Nathan Chertram is working on Footloose, so his break will involve some socializing and some time at school. “I have a mix of business and relaxing,” Nathan said. “I went to [my friend’s] birthday party. But the rest of the week I have to assist the tech crew with Footloose.”

The show will run from April 17-19, featuring a total of 4 shows. Similar to FON this year, there will be an additional show on Sunday. Additionally, this year, Nightingale will be performing the show on April 21 for students from Louis Pasteur Middle School in Little Neck.

While some staying near home, many students use the weeklong break to travel with family and friends. Though their final destination may be dreamy, the journey might be tougher than normal this spring. 

After recent TSA staffing shortages due to a partial government shutdown led to long lines, crowded airports, and delayed flights some students said they have concerns about traveling. Though lines should have shortened after TSA workers began receiving pay, videos circulating on social media about airports lines have students and families still preparing for a wait.

Sophomore Diana Saidi said she’s concerned about “hav[ing] to leave really, really early, because [of] TSA lines. We’re nervous that we might miss our flight, and it’s nonrefundable, so we can’t miss it.”

Though this break might come with some stresses, be they travel related or related to the crunch of the end of the year that follows break, students are mindful that after this break the next one is the big one: summer break. And with this week’s weather certainly better than it was last break, when huge amounts of snow led to a difficult return to school, this break offers a glimpse into what summer will hopefully bring.