(n.) an unspecified period of
time before spring break during which a student (or faculty member) loses the ability to accurately perceive the passage of
time.
Dr. Richard Block identified a framework of four interrelated factors that affect this perception: (1) characteristics of the time experiencer, (2) time-related behaviors and judgments, (3) contents of a time period, and (4) activities during a time period.
The Spring Break Effect
will cause noticeable changes in everyday life. For example, students
will likely experience feelings of acedia (mental sloth, apathy, indifference,
boredom) or exhaustion caused by sleep deprivation. Days
will run together to the point where they are distinguished only by the assignments or exams scheduled. Most of an individual's "productive" time
will be spent on academic tasks that
will range between mindless and tedious. (If a suffer is subjected to these conditions for extended periods of time, particularly when tasks are mindlessly tedious, it is recommended that they consult a mental health professional.) Finally, those affected
will spend increased and possibly unhealthy amounts of time on social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest, if the subject is female).
Person A: "How is it only Tuesday?"
Person B: "I don't know. It
feels like Friday."
Person C: "Dude, you're experiencing the Spring
Break Effect."
Person A: "Is that fatal?"
Person C: "No, but staying awake for
72 hours might."
Person B: "Shit."
