Youth Talk

From the fifth grade until I graduated high school, I was required to attend school six days a week. I eventually became accustomed to it, and now every time I hear a peer at college groan about having to sit an exam on a Saturday I remain unfazed … a working-day Saturday is nothing new to me. 

Since joining university, the promise of a two-day weekend has once again been returned, but what if it were a three-day weekend?

I bet most students and workers would readily welcome such a move, simply for the inherent increased chances for rest, but apparently there are several other plus points to such an undertaking.

The most significant of them all would be a reduction in an institution’s environmental footprint. Fewer working days would mean less electricity, heat, water, etc. spent, not to mention less motor emissions from commuting to work or your place of study … imagine the scale of reduction in carbon emissions if more companies introduced such a change.

Also, a three-day weekend has been found to contribute positively to people’s health. Overwork is associated with increased incidences of contracting heart disease, Type 2 diabetes as well as depression and anxiety and a shortened work week is bound to lessen stress in both workers and students alike.

Finally, fewer work days have been shown to increase not just productivity, but a Utah State company saved $1.8 million in energy costs after implementing a temporary four day 20 hour work week, so concerns regarding financial or productivity losses of any kind need not be heeded.

For a student, a three-day weekend would mean not only more opportunities for review, but also more leisure and extra shut-eye.  

I clearly remember those unfortunate weekends in school where instead of kicking back and taking some time off for myself, I would have to use my precious one day off of the week to catch up on revision if I wanted to stay on top of my studies.

A three-day weekend would mean that those hard-pressed at work or school can have more time off to spend with loved ones or to pursue sidelined interests. This will surely result in a more balanced life and greater happiness.